Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By Adam Brand, Universal Music, 2020.
Speed Of life is the latest release from Australian country music icon Adam Brand and it’s already being hailed as his best work yet.
The album sees Adam in a relaxed and positive frame of mind, reflecting his transition to fatherhood with the birth of his daughter and a career that continues to blossom.
Adam’s been at the forefront of the country music scene for more than 20 years and it’s seen him nominated for multiple ARIA Awards, win 12 Golden Guitars, sell over half a million CDs and DVDs, as well as achieve three Platinum and five Gold Albums sales.
The album opens with the title track which sums up the human dilemma that as we age, so time seems to speed up. As he points out; “we only get so many trips around the sun so enjoy the ride because we all travel at the speed of life.”
The first single, Life’s Been Good To Me, follows and it perfectly sums up Adam’s current life experience; a new daughter, a new album, 20 plus years of doing what he loves and being well rewarded for it.
I’ve only listened to one other Adam Brand album and it seems to me that Speed Of Life draws from a much broader palette of sounds than previously.
There are tracks that include funk elements such as Freakin’ Weekend and of course Adam’s leaning to country rock in tracks like Just A Love Song and Time Of Our Lives.
There’s the country music tradition in Messin’ Up A Good Thing with its peddle-steel guitar and the balladry of Don’t Wanna Let You Down and Baby I Miss You.
All in all, the album has something for everyone.
It’s been beautifully produced by Dierks Bentley and Brad Paisley and the sound is both rich and crisp.
There’s plenty to like about this album.
Every track is strong reflecting an artist who is at the top of his game, so don’t be surprised if Adam is once again nominated when the award season comes around.
