Rob Szabo’s last album, Like A Metaphor, was a power-pop gem with candy-apple hooks that couched the dark content often embedded within. Life & Limb is a quieter and more acoustic affair, but the content is even more intense, like the sprightly standout track, “B’s Song,” in which a dirty little adolescent secret between B and her brother eventually leads them both to sterilize themselves. “My Young Friend” drowns in the futility of warning the title character against the initially unseen but inevitable pain of romance. “That Cold Hard Sell” is a Dylanesque rant against rampant consumerism and the tyranny of the workplace, as fuelled by relentless advertising. Szabo’s supple, captivating voice and catchy, memorable melodies sparkle throughout, and, along with his clever lyrics, greatly reward repeated listening. When he sings, “I’m gonna get what I deserve,” it could be either a blessing or a curse. Judging by Life & Limb, he deserves the blessing far more.

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