Single Premiere: By The Time – George Collins Band (reviewed by Dave Franklin)

George Collins makes music that is the sonic equivalent of the Great American Novel. Like that canon of work, no two of his songs are the same. Yet, they all adhere to a particular set of standards – traditional yet forward-thinking, fresh and vibrant yet familiar and reassuring, music that sounds like you have been listening to it all your life.

“By The Time” comes from the same place that the likes of Tom Petty, Steve Earle and those 70’s outlaw country players and later supergroups like The Highwaymen, drew inspiration. A place where country traditions are blended with folk and rock to ensure its evolution.

It’s a song of goodbyes, of reflection and a philosophical look at life and love, a “Dear John…” letter to a relationship that didn’t work out. But as the simple folk deliveries grow into gentle, country-rock anthemics, you understand that there is no bitterness, no blame, no regret…okay, some regret, but a healthy optimism for the future. At least on the part of the narrator. Hey, he says, sometimes things don’t just work out!”

George writes classic songs for the future…it’s as simple as that.”