https://www.terrascope.co.uk/Reviews/Rumbles_October_21.htm

Singer songwriter Malcolm Holcombe shows no sign of slowing down and has just released his umpteenth album called Tricks Of The Trade. He is the real deal, with a grizzled, rough as a cob voice, which suits his tight funky, country kind of songs. Opener ‘Money Train’, has some great cooing female backing vocals, cool rhythms and concise, stinging little guitar solos, one of which almost sounds like prog at one point. Imagine Tom waits singing ‘Street Fighting Man’ by the Stones which might give you an indication of what sort of territory we are in. ‘Misery Loves Company’ is a well observed song about barfly’s and would suit Terry Allen down to a tee.

Of particular note throughout the album is Jared Tyler’s handling of the various stringed instruments on the songs, he never fails to serve the song. Other songs of note are ‘Your Kin’ a song about inequality. ‘Higher Ground’ about hurricanes and migrants, ‘On Tennessee Land’ about self serving politicians and the knowing title track ‘Tricks Of The Trade’.  Available on the Need To Know Music record label. www.malcolmholcombe.com