CD Review: Bob Pressner's 'Looking Back'

Bob Pressner
Looking Back
Self-Release

The former New York commodities trader-turned singer/songwriter decided to move to Florida after the first attack on the World Trade Center in the early-1990s. With a slight facial resemblance to Bruce Springsteen and Sylvester Stallone, you know Bob means business with his music. The power-pop-punk of "iGirl" is a fitting song for today's technologically-savvy world. Bob's vocals seem to combine Douglas September and Five For Fighting, but not too far from Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Jakob Dylan. The bluesy "Thinking Man" is slightly alternative country in tone with a good deal of folk-pop-roots music. "Too Old To Die Young" begins with an upbeat guitar and percussion set and a nice country-rock guitar chorus. "The Blue Has Left Your Eyes" is a poignant song on guitar that incorporates brushy percussion and raw folk power throughout. "Next Summer Never Came" is a power-pop ballad with glistening guitar strumming and full-on percussion brilliance that roots music can only provide. "Water Water" is a bluesy, rock song with reverberating B3, tambourine, drum-kit, and power-pop guitars. Bob's latest album is a perfect example of Southern rock, roots, folk, and contemporary adult music. Anyone with an interest in Springsteen, Dylan, Five For Fighting, and roots music will keep looking back to Bob Pressner as a pivotal figure in the world of contemporary music. ~ Matthew Forss