There’s something sweet and earnest about Lovesick Insomniacs, the newest album from Tom Rich Band. Maybe it’s how pleasing to the ear the constant harmonies are, or maybe it’s the homey charm woven into every track. Either way, the album has immeasurable warmth to it.
At the core of it all is Tom Rich’s voice, unique and familiar all at once. He has this soothing twang that seems to nestle comfortably somewhere between Simon & Garfunkle and The Beatles, especially when coupled with his expert use of harmonies. This is evident right off the bat with “Baby Said”, with its steady bass and classic feel.
These upbeat, feel-good songs are certainly the heart of the album, but they’re not all it has to offer. “The Circus” is a standout, an emotional track that manages to be dark and triumphant all at once. The lyrics showcase a breaking point, and that really comes through with the combination of the bitter verses and swelling chorus.
Perhaps the sweetest song on the album is “Leanne”, a soft love song about two people with troubled pasts. Rich sings the song in third-person, adding a more story-teller feel to it. It couples nicely with the final track, “Picture On The Wall”, which is a bittersweet song about learning to live with the memory of someone you’ve lost. It could theoretically serve as a backstory to Lianne’s lover. Even if that isn’t the intention, the narrative quality of the lyrics is so rich that any connection feels possible.
Regardless of the content of the song, Rich’s voice harbours the same, consistent emotion throughout all ten tracks. Upon a first listen, you’re almost struck with the feeling that it’s something you’ve heard before. That’s definitely not to say it’s cliche or predictable. Instead, the familiarity is more in the comfort of listening to an old favourite. The whole band plays like they know what they were born to do what they’re doing. The result is an album full of foot-tappers and heart-wrenchers.