Better known as the former drummer for Razorlight and current drummer for We Are Scientists, Burrows comes out from behind the drum kit for his debut solo disc. Though it may seem unusual to see a solo disc from a drummer, it’s pretty safe to say Burrows has many talents up his sleeve: he’s an instrumentalist who is skilled with a guitar, piano, harmonica and blessed with a great set of pipes.
A primary songwriter in his former and current bands, Burrows knows how to set a mood and build tracks around lush pop-rock templates. Though he’s has already penned solo discs under the I Am Arrows moniker, it seems now he’s finally confident enough to just be himself.
The disc starts with the title track “Company,” a ’70s influenced pop song with soulful waves. This is followed by the spirited, funky “Because I Know That I Can.” Though his more rock based songs are certainly well executed (he did write Razorlight’s biggest hit to date), Burrows shines brightest in his quaint balladry. Tracks like “If I Had A Heart” and “Somebody Calls Your Name” are heartwarming songs where he strums the guitar so delicately and the violins provide a sense of longing. Near the end of the album Burrows picks up the pace with the charged rocker “Shaking The Colour,” a quick paced tune with fantastic guitar work.
There have only been a handful of luminaries who have stepped from the back of the stage to the front of the stage with much success. Besides the obvious (hint, he used to be in Scream, then Nirvana), Philip Selway (Radiohead) and Bob Nanna (Hey Mercedes, Braid) are the only ones that come to mind. Here Burrows adds his name to that short list and further solidifies his place as a strong songwriter with a penchant for warm acoustic melodies, dreamy atmospheres, and gorgeous singing.
