Rob Baird’s steadily grown in confidence and craft over the past decade, and the songwriter’s fourth LP showcases his best songs yet. If past efforts floated stylistically in search of a sound, After All finally achieves its own fit for his sharp melodies and tense lyrics. The polish of the title track and standout single “Burning Blue” ripple with a patience that lets the emotions unfold, while songs like “Devil Woman Blues” still stoke the underlying fire.
This article appears in February 8 • 2019.
