I like how it’s not such a shock anymore to find good country music nowadays, speaking in this case about Andrew Combs’ new 7,” Big Bad Love (physical release May 8, 2012). “Take It From Me” is lulling and warm, brightening with organ and steel, and softening with Combs’ vocals, which don’t have the sunny, almost sour, twang of lots of country artists. Rather, his just have a grey southern lilt, and the song is reminiscent of one of Ryan Adams’ lovely, defeated let-down tunes. The title track bites harder with blues groove dug out with some rough, grated guitar parts and a feather dusting of percussion shaken over it. “Feels like getting off some mean old drug/Coming down off of big bad love.” Stream both tracks below. Combs is currently on tour with Jonny Corndawg and will be back in Nashville May 11 at The Basement. – Jessica Pace
