The press release for Brown describes a true power-house of a man, one who was a "part-time bare-knuckle boxer in his Yorkshire youth", "no introspective wimp". What is set up, then, is a growly, aggressive act, and one that will shake the listener to the core with its power. What we get is nothing of the sort.
Come Home is a peaceful, melodic tune, not unlike (if I may say this without being boxed to the ground) to a certain Mr Rice or even to the better Simon and Garfunkle tracks. It flows with a gentle rhythm, but leaves the listener with no real lasting impression of itself. It's certainly a pretty song, but in the light of the hype one wouldn't be out of place to expect something a bit more engaging. The fluttering guitar and wistful singing delivers the exact introspective atmosphere that was denied outright by the label. It seems in this case to be a prime example of protesting too much, like McFly trying to claim to not be filling a Busted-shaped hole.
Overall the song is utterly likable. It provides perfect listening for a reflective rainy spring day or wistful summer afternoon, or for the background music to a quirky indie film. What it claims to be it certainly isn't, but what it remains is something utterly listenable and well constructed.
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