Ian M Bailey – We Live In Strange Times

Each time I hear the opening track of an Ian Bailey record, The Byrds come to mind. But his sound is so much more. Bailey’s Songs To Dream To (2021) featured stand out melodies, wonderful harmonies and interesting arrangements. We Live In Strange Times is another trip down Paisley Lane with the requisite guitar jangle and hooks-a-plenty. It’s power pop at its absolute finest.

Chime, Rhyme and Time

The Byrdsian “The Last Chime” successfully leads things off with it’s wonderful guitar chime and sweeping melody. “It’s Summer Rain” comes from a similar place. It’s gorgeous guitars dangle on a captivating melody. “The Clock Is Ticking” hangs on an infectious groove that sticks in your head long after initial listening.

While there is no shortage of highlights on We Live In Strange Times, the best of the best are the more alt-country tracks. “Country Girl” may seem a typical love song at first but it’s ornate guitar picking, ideal string arrangement and lovely melody make it a real gem. But it’s “Pray for Me” that makes me hit the “play” button again and again. A bit of blues disguised as an up-tempo pop song, the tune is a start to finish 3:33 hook. I can’t get enough of it.

Get Ian Bailey’s latest at Kool Kat Musik

Ian Bailey’s We Live In Strange Times is one of this year’s most enjoyable listens. Any guitar aficionados, fans of The Byrds, REM or Mitch Easter, or power pop that leans toward alt-country should be on this one right away. Get the CD at Kool Kat Musik.