Bob Forrest
Survival Songs
(Six Degrees Records)

Formerly the lead vocalist of LA rock bands Thelonious Monster and The Bicycle Thief, yet best known by the masses (and VH1 watchers) as Bob Forrest (the one with the hat), lead drug counselor on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, Forrest has just released his new album, Survival Songs. Forrest says that this album is his life laid bare…and it certainly is. Starting with “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean,” a blues acoustic tune with Forrest’s very distinctive vocals about the inevitable nipping at his heels. The slipping acoustic strumming of “Song of the Songs” follows, a truly spectacular song with a great lyric about the songs that have saved our lives. The harmony vocals (more like doubled from two different singers), the lilt of the chorus melody and even the lightly added xylophone at the end makes this a perfect little ditty. Forrest explores his lost love for music in the heartbreaking “Looking to the West,” a song built around his acoustic vocal and mournful horn playing, as it builds intensity. His cover of his old band Thelonious Monster’s “Anymore” has a nice lilting country swing to it, less jangly than the original, still with acoustic layering, harmony vocals, fiddle with a light stomping country feel to it, and things get sweet on the lullaby “Elvis, We Are Waiting For You!” for Forrest’s baby on the way. Last tune, “Truth, Chaos & Beauty (Peace In the Valley)” certainly explores a theme many have, but the flicky country sensibility (a mandolin informing the flavor the most here) and wonderful harmonies ends Survival Songs on a positive note.