Plumb - Need You Now

When Plumb released CandyCoatedWaterDrops, I became an instant fan. The mix of dark undertones with pop sensibility worked on every level. It moved away from their Garbage esque debut (which I liked). The band, aka Tiffany Arbuckle, has continued to release music and play with the mix of creating beautiful pop music without ever losing her alternative rock roots.

The other aspect of Plumb that I've always loved is Arbuckle's ability to write heart-wrenching spiritual ballads and soulful worship tunes while being able to compose some of the most beautiful love songs you'll hear.

Both of these elements find their way onto Need You Now.

The guitar riff that opens the album on Invisible feels a lot like riffs from the band's self-titled debut before the weird distortion kicks off and riff cleans up. The song is driving and has more kick than anything on Arbuckle's previous outing, Blink. Drifting shifts into an electronic soundscape. The album's first single, which has been out for a while, is super catchy and an extremely moving track. Dan Haseltine (Jars of Jay/The Hawk In Paris) on the bridge and choruses is a nice add touch to the song. Beautiful is the third element of Plumbs music. It's a beautiful love ballad.

Within the first three tracks on Need You Now, Arbuckle manages to show off what has always made Plumb a compelling artist and she does it flawlessly.

One Drop may be the poppiest song Plumb's ever released. In the vain of Train and Francesca Battistelli and well any other artist who's ever incorporated a ukulele into a song, One Drop is a simple happy song. Need You Now has songs that run the gamut of pop sensibilities. From ballads like I Want You Here, to the country, almost Taylor Swiftish, Unloveable, and happy go lucky songs like Chocolate & Ice Cream, Need You Now offers something or everybody. Even thoses hoping for another rock song get Cage. A song, like Invisible, that will make fans of the band's debut album happy.

The title track, Need You Now (How Many Times) is my personal favorite track on the record. An honest, desperate cry for God. It's a personal reflection of just trying to hold on day to day when things are rough that I think every one can relate to.

Need You Now is another beautiful record from Tiffany Arbuckle. While Plumb has evolved over the years, what has made the band great over the years is done very successfully on Need You Now.