Some artists get the lucky break which brings sudden success, others have to grind it out, pay their dues and earn it. Glasgow born and based Robin Adams is one of the latter. A charismatic performer and gifted songwriter, many predicted that 2009 would be his breakthrough year, with the prestigious Billy Kelly Songwriting Award to his name, a standout set at Go North, and the release of his widely acclaimed debut album "Down To Reverie". Yet, with rising press interest, and surging radio play, Adams was struck by a singular and galling piece of misfortune. A late summer cold compounded by a hectic gigging and recording schedule turned to laryngitis, enforcing a 4 month layoff to avoid permanent vocal damage. Coming on the eve of the album launch, and a UK tour the timing couldn't have been worse. Consigned to a near monastic state of silence, the tour, in store promos and radio sessions were cancelled, and all momentum was lost. While less resilient artists might have taken this as a sign to consider alternative careers, far from giving in, once recovered Adams literally redoubled his efforts, putting together a backing band and recording two stunning new albums, due for a head turning simultaneous release on the Eye Dog Eye label, March 28th 2011 in CD and download formats. With wide ranging influences from The Beatles to Bob Dylan, Radiohead to String Driven Thing, Robin's debut album routinely pushes the sonic boundaries of acoustic based music, invoking the ethereal and even psychedelic, yet retaining the integrity of the song, with a deft and poetic lyrical touch, and at heart always based around a live guitar and vocal take into a single microphone. There are no fillers on Down To Reverie, but definite standouts are Days of Easy, Midnight I, Vehicle and the hauntingly beautiful When Your Light Goes Out. If you like the more direct route, Down To The Water and World Burns On proved firm radio favourites. Best though is just to play it from start to finish and appreciate the artistry and intent in this particularly fine and under the radar debut.
