Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothers

A turn of phrase to rank with Nick Lowe's, and an
instinct for hook and melody mean you're thinking
of the Byrd's with a country edge to boot.

The Boy Most Likely Too... is a testimony to the
enduring power of finely crafted songs played
well . It deserves a wide hearing and appreciation.
- Bucktful Of Brains

On The Boy Most Likely Too..., Bob Collum masterfully combines
melodicism and rootsy twang.The result is as honest and
refreshing a record as has come down the dusty two laned
highway this year. With TBMLT, Collum has crafted roots pop
perfection. - Amplifier

Anyone who wants to hear what Top 40 sounds like in a perfect world should pick up The Boy Most Likely Too...
and turn it up!
- Being There

The Tulsa to Tulse Hill Troubadour, backed by England's Welfare Mothers, serves up the very definition of Americana UK... Where previous Bob Collum releases, particularly 2000's 'Low Rent Romeo' lent quite heavily on what we here in the UK would term an overt country sound, his third record, 'The Boy Most Likely To…' have the bells & belles of Collum's natural and adopted homes ringing loud, proud & true.


In the studio he sequestered the services of producer, Pat Collier and his trusty road band, The Welfare Mothers; Dan Wilkinson on bass/ vocal assistance & Paul Quarry on drums - although, it has been said in whispers that on a bad night it can be the other way around! As with all the best rhythm sections, their skill lies in knowing when not to play as well as when to step out of the shadows & take a bow, as on a blistering take on Gram Parsons classic Byrds contribution, 'One Hundred Years'. As previously touched on, there is a distinct British inclination to these tracks. Openers 'Merry Go Round' & 'A Little Less Soul' hold an intoxicating Mersey Beat sound, which crosses the broad Atlantic on 'Less Than Predictable' to combine the British Invasion with a Tom Petty (circa 'Damn the Torpedoes') feel.


The key composition on this record is 'Victim that you Need'. It best encapsulates Collum's ethos on song writing within the pop/ rock genre; the discipline of disguise. Set to a swirling Hammond figure & rolling chord sequence, an unbelievably sad lyric… ' Gonna steal the air you breath & the shadows that you leave…. and if we don't agree, I'll be the victim that you need'… is dressed up like its something to be proud of. A tale of sad, pathetic loneliness, a man willing to sacrifice even his dignity & self respect to be loved. This subject matter has not been dealt with so well since Ryan Adams 'Come Pick Me Up' and to feel so good about someone's misery almost brings on toe- tapping shame & misery… a musical schadenfreude, if you will. For the recorded versions of these songs, Collum & his band have replaced some of the visceral edge of the live performances for a more textured, crisp production which I have to say was probably a shrewd move.


Aside from the obvious incentive of possible air- play, the limitations of a trio would have been all to apparent had they gone for the 'live in your head' feel, with no overdubs. 'The Boy Most Likely To…' rather than misstate the Collum live show, offers a counterpoint. A chance to really settle down with the songs & get to know them. This is turn will make the next time you see them all the more rewarding. Highlighting the up- lifting arrangements & lid lifting lyrics that have almost become his trademark. Also available 'More Tragic Songs of Life'(1997), 'Low Rent Romeo'(2000). www.bobcollumonline.com PG - Americana UK