Review of Scott H. Biram's "Something’s Wrong/Lost Forever"

Scott H. Biram

Something’s Wrong/Lost Forever

Blood Shot Records - BS 167

Review by Georgetown Fats

During this holiday season, I enjoy adding my musical snobbery with the gift giving season. The music lovers in my extended family can expect to receive copies of Scott H. Biram’s "Something’s Wrong/Lost Forever".

“Hospital Escape” is an interesting opening track. Including two voice mail messages left while Biram was in a patient in a hospital is an interesting way to open up a disk. Clearly there is a wild back story, and Biram is not just another corporate produced image.

The second track, and first actual song, “Time Flies” kicks in with some Hammond Organ, some foot stomps and a heavily distorted guitar riff. Biram’s vocals, delivered through a tube amp and green bullet microphone, only add to the raucous sound.

On “Sinking Down” Biram, “The Dirty Old One Man Band”, increases the tempo ever-so-slightly while offering up more Hammond Organ, foot-stomping guitar riff and more distorted vocals. The tune is written about the difficult life Biram has set for himself in order to chase his dreams of making it as a professional musician. Though not lacking in it’s punk edge, the track shows that in addition to being a multi-instrumentalist Biram is also a strong song writer. “Time Flies” should be garnering Biram significant radio airplay.

Due to the 365 longest days of my life spent in Buckhannon West Virginia, I have an adverse reaction to country music. I normally hit the floor in the fetal position and scream until the song is over, but “Still Drunk, Still Crazy, Still Blue” is just that well written. Largely just Biram on his acoustic with some lead fills on an electric guitar, and another backing track with the Hammond Organ, the sparse arrangement compliments the song about love loss perfectly.

Showing his gospel roots, Birham’s “Aint It a Shame” is a rueful account of how conditions would improve if we all got a little more religion in our lives. Genuine in it’s delivery and frank in it’s nature “Aint It a Shame” is a powerful tune.

“Draggin’ Down The Line” is another song which proves corporate, main stream radio has lost it’s way. There are pop sensibilities all throughout the tune, written about the nomadic life of the professional musician. Again it another powerful tune that belongs in heavy rotation from college radio and AAA radio stations alike.

Closing out the disk, “The Dirty Old One Man Band” offers up of Leadbelly’s “Go Down Ol’ Hannah”. As an a cappella piece with heavy use of reverb, Biram’s voice shows that in addition to being an accomplished guitarist, an accomplished songwriter and an accomplished harmonica player his is by no means a slouch with his vocals. They are rough-hued, genuine and gritty. The bluesy link throughout all of his music and cover songs on Something’s Wrong/Lost Forever.

Biram’s ability to combine blues with americana, country, pop, and punk make for an

irresistible listen worthy of multiple repeated plays. It is clear he deserves all of the accolades the Deep Blues community heaps on him. Now If only commercial radio would catch on the contemporary pop music world would be a much better place.