Album Review: Trent Dabbs 'Believer'

Nashville-based singer/songwriter and producer Trent Dabbs had an extremely successful year of music. He co-wrote six songs off Ingrid Michaelson’s latest release, Lights Out, including the hit single, “Girls Chase Boys" and his song “Don’t Put Dirt On My Grave” (co-written with Caitlyn Smith) was featured on ABC’s Nashville. On February 10th Dabbs will release his ninth album, Believer, via his own Ready Set Records. 

In contrast to much of the over processed music you hear on the radio today, Believer takes a back to basics approach and being so is simply a gift for the ears. The ten tracks on the record are many things: truthful, emotive, thoughtful, sparse and beautiful....all meaningfully conveyed by the instrumentation used, including piano, harmonica, and guitar. The collection can also be described as intimate--listening to Dabbs' gentle vocals you feel as if you are privy to his personal thoughts and experiences.

Asking whether something is worth pursuing, "Nature of the Beast" will transport you back to the folk era heyday while "Make A Believer," with its 80's pop sensibilities, delivers a message of finding encouragement and hope in relationships, even when you don't think there may be any remaining. "Doesn't matter what I've done/Doesn't matter what I do/Gonna, gonna make a believer out of you." 

Personal favorite "Nobody's Stranger Anymore" makes the heart ache as he sings “Old friends, old lovers some records skip more than others/It's the same song we're all looking for/To be nobody's stranger anymore.” Another beautiful track "Here on Earth" reminds us that our time here is short and we should say what we need to say to people before we lose them.

"For the Grace of You," which was also featured on ABC's Nashville, deals with second chances and the natural highs that accompany being in love, while "To My Girl," a ballad about "pledging allegiance" to the one you are with and not abandoning a relationship.

"World On Time" is as toe tapping as they come with female harmonies that express the sentiment of finding the right person and falling in love. "My soul it sings its own desires/It stands before the choir that you lead." Transgressions, confessions and apologies are the focus in the melancholy, piano centered ballad "Goes Without Saying." "Deliver me from all of my sins/From running away/'Cause I can't be saved with trangressions still on my lips."  The almost lullaby-esque "Say No More," about leaving this world, appropriately closes the album. "Let the angels take it from here."

Perhaps it may take you more than one listen to fully appreciate this album, but it will be time worth investing. Believer is a refreshing album that is indeed a lovely listen. 

Believer will be available February 10th
Purchase the album here

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