Rob’s Album Of The Week: I&R’s Bankrupt City

New surroundings not only bring change to one’s landscape, but they can also change one’s tastes, talents and sensibilities. That’s true when it comes to Josh Cournoyer and his music project I&R. The Nashville via Providence, Rhode Island transplant shifted his style from hard-nosed rock & roll to a balance between amplified grit and heartfelt acoustics. Ultimately he has found his own artistic identity and it’s evident in the debut album, Bankrupt City, that’s being self-released on July 12. It’s a statement of progression that’s represented by eight stellar songs.

Back in Providence, Cournoyer was the frontman, guitarist and the principal songwriter for the rock act Northern Lands. His vocals in that band had a distinct howl with a rough edge. With I&R, he sings more with a croon. Maybe it’s his current environment or a conscious effort to switch it up, but it fits well with the music he’s writing. The approach also gives the album a refreshing accessibility.

Another notable quality in Bankrupt City is how Cournoyer avoids classic Nashville cliches. There’s a bit of a twang but it’s not overbearing to the point where it becomes comical. He took his roots from the city he started from and put a new spin on them when he moved to his current place of residence. The assortment of acoustic and electric tracks is harmonious and gives the album a…