Anton O'Donnell is a singer-songwriter from Glasgow widely known as the front person of Anton and the Colts. Despite the name on the front of the latest record being streamlined to reflect a solo stance, the band effect is alive and kicking within nine tracks that land on the listener in a haze of toughened suburban Brit Pop meets heartfelt heartland Americana. The conundrum within the title and cover begins to unravel when TOMBER SUR PRW gets its literal translation as 'falling on Paisley Street West', the place where O'Donnell lives. A sense of street realism runs through the theme of the lyrics and you surmise to what extent the road under the nose influences the songwriting process. Like all albums cut from the word-laden mind of a troubadour, savouring the wares with lyrics in hand creates a rounded listening experience.
A chance meet up with American producer Brian Brinkerhoff led O'Donnell into a unique creating process for this album with the added imposition of a worldwide pandemic in full flow. This is 'setting the scene territory' as what unravels for the listener is an enthralling package pivoting on the 'less is more mantra'. The aforementioned nine tracks come across as symphonic pieces within a forty-five minute span possessing a hefty load from a small yet powerful collection swaying in tempo and vigour.
A concoction of detected instrumentation flavours the sonic landscape. Essentially the straight up rock guitar sound is dominant, but faint strands of pedal steel slip in an alt-country feel. This is most prominent in the killer opening track where 'Kindness' oozes with a strong message within a neat music mix encompassing tender strains and fiery blasts.
Continuing the instrument theme, a waft of harmonica adds an ambient gloss to 'Shine a Light' where a scratchy opening blends into evocative vibes that cast a vision of a dry ice environment evoking a late night bleakness. For one of the record's more populous numbers, a surprising trumpet interlude hails the detailed story song 'Madman on the Loose' and weaves its way back in the latter stages.
For some tempo variety, 'It Never Lasts' is a more upbeat rocker awash with clear and combative vocals, while an acoustic backdrop frames an anthem-like song in 'Dreams Fade Under the Light' where a headline lyric draws you into investigating further what is being said.
A fleeting run through an album that ultimately is better heard than read about sees a resurgent sound permeating the six-minute stirring track 'Set it on Fire' and an archetype brooding closer in 'Django'. Completing the set in random order are the alt-country defined 'Roots' where guitar and steel spin alongside vocals that spill out with purposeful integrity and a dose of murky rock in 'Skulduggery'.
Wherever you place yourself on the Anton O'Donnell awareness scale, dipping into what flows from the grooves of TOMBER SUR PRW will likely form a favourable opinion. A strong well-rounded release with intriguing themes and a rousing sound falls neatly into the slot of a style lapped up by fans of Americana music.
