When I first heard Brent Cobb’s EP I was
captivated from the very first line to the last. It starts off with “Diggin’ Holes”:
“Well I oughta be workin’ in a coal mine, neck
deep in black lung soot, swingin’ a pick at that mountain side, half way to
China. I think I would--fit right in where the sun don’t shine, she’s
better off alone, yeah I oughta be workin’ in a coal mine, Lord knows I’m good
at diggin’ holes.”
The song goes on to describe his dilemma:
“When it comes to love I ain’t got a clue, what this heart of mine is supposed
to do.” This line pulls the song together.
At the conclusion, the listener is hit with the
heaviest verse of the song: “If I had a shovel I’d bury this heart, 6 feet
down. And my last words would be ‘I never meant to hurt you, I’m better
off a ghost.’ Yeah I oughta make my livin’ in a graveyard, Lord knows I’m
good at diggin’ holes.”
Brent performs this song flawlessly making the
listener feel every word. The honesty and vulnerability in this song
shows that nobody is perfect and that we all experience rough times in
life. “Diggin’ Holes” is an ultimate of ‘I messed up’ songs.
“Love On Me” is next up. This track is a
charming portrayal of a guy convincing his girl why they need to be
together. After a first listen it’s hard to believe she would say no J. It’s a happy,
upbeat tune that you’ll find yourself dancing (unless you have two left feet)
and singing along to.
“To Be Saved” is a heartfelt confession of a
man who knows he needs a change in his life. The gentleman in this song
is tired of himself, “tired of hearin’ Mama cry” and doesn’t wonder where he’s
going when his time comes. He wants to be saved, which is the premise of
the song. It’s a celebration of a spiritual kind and at the same time
life in general. My favorite line in this song, possibly the entire EP is
“It’s gonna be a party and the all night kind, and we ain’t stoppin’ til the
pitch black shines.” The future is bright and it’s where the hope
lies. The past is gone, and with each new day brings brighter
possibilities.
“Good To Go For Cheap” is the story of a
couple good timing friends. Although one of them isn’t able to do
anything ever since he never has any money. This is unfortunate, but he
takes it all in stride, telling is friend to “have a good time, without me it’s
okay.” In the end he ends up picking up his buddy after he’s had a rough night
with ever clear, but he won’t let him sleep until they swing by Waffle House
and grab something good to go for cheap. This is an adventurous and telling
tale of true friends.
“Dear You” is the result of the process of
trying to find the right words to say when they seem to be impossible to
find. “It took quite a few times for me to finally find what I wanted to
say.” In the end he hopes they can still be friends despite him
actions. The heart grows fonder with
separation, and it seems that he is truly missing the one he once loved.
This song is so eloquent in it’s simplicity to describe something we all go
through. He signs off “Sincerely, Yours ‘Til The End,” which shows his
continuing love.
“Good Old Days” fights the pessimistic view
that the good life is in the past. Cobb sings “these are still the good
old days.” Not letting anyone influence his outlook on life, he chooses
to see the present in a positive light. He need not dwell in the past as
his present is just as good as it was back then; and by the sounds of it, it’s
better. Life is all about what you make it. The beauty in this song
is that it shows off the people who complain about the way things are
today. While they’re complaining, we’re over here living the dream.
“Oh, I can still catch all of the Braves
games, yeah these are still the good old days.”
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