Veteran Australian singer-songwriter Robbie Greig, a stalwart of Melbourne's '70s coffee house scene, returns with his eleventh studio offering, ‘Common Ground’. This latest collection, released via Skulduggery Records, sees Robbie continuing his exploration of life's intricacies through his signature blend of riff-driven grooves, compelling melodies, and insightful lyrics.
Having honed his craft over decades and garnered recognition from bodies like the Australia Council and the Australian Songwriters’ Association, Robbie’s new album once again demonstrates his knack for weaving together rock, blues, jazz, and folk influences, echoing the spirit of songwriting giants from past eras.
From the start, ‘Common Ground’ feels like a thoughtful reflection on human connection in an increasingly disconnected world. The album dives into the struggle of building genuine relationships in a modern world, no longer “doomscrolling through the media,” but finding something real. This sentiment is immediately apparent in the opening track, ‘Strange Weather’. With its funk-infused rhythm, the song gently draws the listener into Robbie’s world, offering his seasoned perspective through lines like, “And when you gamble with the future, play with fire and flood, something’s bound to happen, you’re gonna run out of luck.”
The album then shifts gears with ‘That Photograph’, a delicate acoustic piece that subtly incorporates a wistful jazz undercurrent. It’s a snapshot of Robbie’s more reflective and personal writing style, offering a slice of timeless romance in the current age with an opening line, “I’ve got your face on my screensaver, darling, and I see it every day.” Following this, ‘Like Dominos’ sees Robbie venture into folk and Americana territory, delivering a narrative with a wry touch, recounting the downfalls of politicians and public figures. While delivered with a wry smile, it’s a song, like many of Robbie’s, that has an undercurrent of stark reality.
Elsewhere, the album showcases Robbie’s versatility, moving seamlessly between the timeless acoustic sounds and the funkier undercurrents of ‘The Kerala Tango’ to the light-spirited, yet sarcastic ‘It’s All Good’. A song that acts, as Robbie explains, "as a dig at the complacency of the older, privileged generation," 'It's All Good' contrasts a scathing undertone with its more upbeat musical feel.
As the album progresses, ‘Little Boat’ offers a poignant pause, a tender ballad enriched by soft instrumentation and the melancholic tones of Allan Gibson’s saxophone. It’s a moving reflection on lost love, where “all the joy and the pain, like tattoos they remain.“ The closing track, ‘Must Be Bedtime’, presents a noticeable change in atmosphere. A slow, lingering quality permeates the track, creating a darker, more introspective mood. Greig’s guitar work takes on a ruminative edge, building impressively towards the opening vocals.
For the most part, ‘Common Ground’ is a mature and cohesive album from a seasoned artist. While it comfortably sits within the familiar niche that Robbie has cultivated over his career, it also offers a fresh perspective on enduring themes. It’s an album that invites repeated listening, delivering both enjoyable acoustic sounds and some well-travelled wisdom.
For more from Robbie Greig, including his other ten albums, be sure to head on over to his website.
