Bob Lien - Color of Sky

​Bob Lien

Color of Sky
self-released; 2016

3.5 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Bob Lien is a singer, songwriter and recording artist from Minnesota who recently released Color of Sky. The music is very well produced and has a light, airy, dreamlike quality to it. On top of the guitars, drums and bass you get a good amount of string arrangements. So much so it starts to define his sound.

My only minor issue with the album is the length. At fifteen songs with no filler this felt more like a double album. I usually prefer albums I can get through in one sitting and by the tenth song I have to admit my patience was starting to wear thin.

Lien studied composition and that seems obvious after listening to these songs. They are well sculpted with peaks and valleys which keep a song interesting. He opens with the title track and I really enjoyed the beginning of the song. The orchestral string work is lively yet warm. Without warning, drums, guitar and bass come into the mix. It’s a pretty positive, optimistic song in terms of the lyrics and vibe. He sings, “Before we met, I was more lost than I’d admit, taking comfort in the shadow of dreams. / You are the air upon the breath I breathe. / You are the fire inside that sets me free.” That being said the topic is pretty familiar. 

“What I Ask to Receive” has a very ethereal, dreamlike quality. He utilizes a good amount of reverb and thought his vocals sounded well produced here. “Every Road” is another solid. I was digging the lead guitar here especially with the way it played into the percussive heavy instrumentation. 

“Temporary Homes” seems to be a metaphor for the transitory nature of human beings while “Best of Who We Are” has a similar theme of time progressing. As the album progresses “Weight of Fallen Dreams” and “Learn It This Time” were highlights.

​Color of Sky is a cohesive album that builds upon a sound. That’s impressive in itself. Combine that with some solid songwriting and you have a winning combination.

official website

Tweet