Single Review: Best Dreams

Christchurch’s country blues rock artist Nick Burson returns with his band, giving us the third single from his soon to be released Hindsight album, Best Dreams.

Nick is a very capable lyricist and vocalist. He’s captured a mood of the story behind his lyrics: of a personal friend going through hard times and who could only see that things were falling apart, leaving him feeling helpless but unable to stop trying. It’s a dry vocal performance, very raw. I like that.

For this single Nick has partnered up with country pop singer Steffany Beck, for whom he’s played lead guitar for numerous performances. I’ll not give too much away, but wait for her lead vocal. Top drawer!

The orchestration is good, but not wow factor. Mix and mastering the same. Exceptionally competent playing and engineering, without being the in-your-face level I like. It does fit the melancholy of the song’s story though, so I’m going to stop there with that line.

It’ll be interesting to see how this goes over live – and if you’re going to the summer festivals, watch out for Nick and Steff, as they are on the bill for a number of these. If country blues is your thing, this is for you. It’s not mine, but I don’t want to be negative about artists putting their hearts and soul out there so this definitely deserves a four star rating.

Greed’s been crowned the new king.