Coming Home Review

"Coming Home" is the debut album from gospel/soul singer Leon Bridges.  The album received positive reviews from many critics as the soul revival from Bridges brings you back to the glory days of soul music; Sam Cooke, Aretha, and Al Green.  "Coming Home" gives you that nostalgic feeling that you may be longing for in the midst of today's music scene; but in many aspects, the album lacks on originality, depth, and urgency.

The lead single "Coming Home" is one of the only tracks that could be transmitted into today's hit charts.  The bluesy, golden voice of Bridges resonates greatly on the track as bands such as The Black Keys help Bridges' effort here seem more relevant.  Another track that really stood out was "Lisa Sawyer".  The track has the slow jam vibe of a 60's Du Wop classic; accompanied by all the female backup singers you'd imagine, but it actually feels like Leon is pouring his soul out on "Lisa Sawyer".  That's whats missing on "Coming Home"; the lack of effort on the emotional front.  

As many of us would be very jealous of a voice like Leon Bridges', it feels like he's taking it for granted.......on his debut album.  I was missing the howling cries you'd hear from a Ray Charles record, the kind of sadness that Al Green would emote on each and every song he'd perform, and the raw emotion that Otis Redding elicited back at the Monterey Pop Festival.  Grabbing attention is hard to do especially in the music industry; "Coming Home" didn't grab my attention as I wanted it to, it left me wanting more.

Final Summary:

"Coming Home" does a decent job of reviving an era that many of us never experienced.  The classic music your parents would listen to on vinyl has a charm to it; but that era has passed.  Leon Bridges should've done a better job of modernizing the genre instead of copying it, deliberately.  Bridges is still young and has time to develop; but this record doesn't make the cut for standing out on its own.  Bridges needs to listen to some more modern soul influenced artists such as Fitz and The Tantrums, and The Black Keys to get a better understanding of how to use the genre to his advantage.

Rating: 6.7/10