What Living Is For – George Collins Band (reviewed by Dave Franklin)

Before I get into the actual sound of the latest one from George Collins, I need to talk about the spirit of his music, those intangible element that seems to echo through his songs – positivity, effervescent energies, optimism, and a sense of looking to the future rather than dwelling on the past. Even when he is giving us a pretty traditional breakup song, such as “By The Time,” there is a philosophical message running through it, a sort of it was great, baby, but it wasn’t meant to be…! George, I feel, is a realist.

But if sometimes the optimism is found by reading between the lines, “What Living Is For” simply shouts it from the rooftops. I’m alive, I’m going to make the most of it! Hurrah to that. George, I feel, is a glass-half-full sort of guy.

And the upbeat vibe isn’t just in the lyrics; the music that drives the message is as energetic and groovesome as you can get. A horn-soaked slice of foot-on-the-monitor, Americana-infused rock ‘n’ soul; it is the perfect sonic vehicle for such unabashed positivity. Sitting somewhere between the new wave energy of a young Elvis Costello and the rock and roll twang of The Heartbreakers, it is about as instantly infectious as you can get. George, I feel, understands what rock and roll was built for.

At a time when many of us are worried about the state of the world, and rightly so, George Collins reminds us that we still need to remember to live our lives. It is, in fact, the epitome of the saying, “we are here for a good time, not a long time.” George, I feel, is someone who hasn’t forgotten to take the bull of life by the metaphorical horns.

Amen to that, brother.

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