Rob Baird, I Swear it’s the Truth
Originally posted on RootHogRadio.com by JustJodi
I’m embarrassed to admit I had not heard of Rob Baird until last fall a friend had her iPod on random and I was struck by a song. I asked to listen again, and it was The Lonely Road. I loved it and we listened to the entire CD. Twice.
That is exactly how I felt when I got the new one, I Swear It’s The Truth. With only one listen, I was completely consumed with Rob Baird. It’s been nearly a month and it continues to be a staple of my day.
Most of the songs on the album are about loneliness, broken hearts and breaking hearts – fairly typical themes, but definitely not typical lyrics from a 25-year old. Although Rob says he has had a little heartbreak in his life, his main inspiration comes from watching people and trying to empathize with their emotions.
My favorite “Along the Way”, is the second cut, co-written with Ryan Beaver. You can feel the heartbreak in Rob’s voice, which is the test of a really good song and a really great artist. “I was there for the taking, but you just kept on breaking my troubled heart, along the way”
“Redemption” is another incredibly stirring and emotional song, co-written by Rick Brantly, it speaks to the loneliness and sorrow we feel after a relationship gone wrong. .- I almost expect him to break out in tears at the end. “there’s somebody that I still miss, her name barely leaves my lips. She comes to me in the darkest dreams, makes me wish for the sweetest things. She loved me like I didn’t deserve, and I could never find the words.”
“Everybody’s looking for something real or something more, now I need something I can’t ignore-redemption…”
One of the few songs he didn’t have a hand in writing, Julie Miller’s “I Can’t Get Over You” is a perfect addition to the album and includes harmony from The Trisha’s Kellie Mickwee. Again, you can hear the pain and loneliness in his voice and the lyrics tell the story of denial at the end of a relationship. “When I turn to leave, my heart stays behind cause I can’t get over you…I keep moving on, running hard and fast, but everywhere that I run to, I’m just standing still, living in the past, cause I can’t get over you.”
Although those are my a few of my favorites, I Swear it’s the Truth is one that should be listened to as a whole. Rob Baird has really grown as a songwriter since he put out Blue Eyed Angel in 2010 and the lyrics are much more thoughtful. He says the album is closer to his truth, which is the reason behind the title.
It’s full of solid writing talent, with collaborators, Ryan Beaver, Drew Kennedy, Andrew Combs and Rick Brantley among others with only three songs he didn’t collaborate on. The musical talent from Hayes Carl’s band members Scott Davis (album producer), Kenny Smith and Cody Foote contribute guitar, banjo, piano, drums and bass. Several other musicians round out the record including Keith Gattis and members of Baird’s band Nate Coon and Woodrow Morgan. Kellie Mickwee and Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist from The Band of Heathens contribute back-up vocals.
The emotion behind all the songs is stirring and poignant. This is not a party band record, but an authentic collection of great songwriting to sit and listen to, much like Jason Isbell, Adam Hood or Will Hoge.
From the first note to the last, Rob Baird delivers an album that I consider one of the best of 2012. ~JT
My rating: 9/10
Goes with: Adam Hood, Jason Isbell, Will Hoge