Worth the Wait: Corey Colum Delivers a Decade of Grit on ‘Patience’
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Artist Information: Corey Colum
Corey Colum is a compelling Australian country singer-songwriter whose authenticity is rooted in the vast landscapes of Western Australia, where he spent a decade in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions. Colum launched his career with significant acclaim, winning the prestigious Telstra Road to Tamworth Songwriter Award and the People’s Choice Award in 2009. He released his self-titled debut album in 2011, quickly establishing a reputation for raw, honest storytelling and a distinctly Australian voice, which led to collaborations and shared stages with artists like Eskimo Joe, The Waifs, and Lee Kernaghan.
However, following this early success, Colum took an extended hiatus from recording to focus on family and demanding blue-collar work—driving trucks, operating machinery, and working as a plumber. This period of Patience, which stretched over a decade, deeply enriched his perspective, making his return to the studio not just a musical comeback, but a genuinely lived experience set to music. His sound draws influence from traditional country heavyweights like Troy Cassar-Daley and the modern grit of Cody Johnson, blending 80s and 90s country styles with a rugged country-rock edge.
Album Overview: Patience
Released many years after his debut, Patience is a powerful testament to Colum’s enduring commitment to country music and the authentic life stories that fuel it. The album, co-produced by Colum and Josh Dyson, explores themes of home, sacrifice, hard work, and the simple pleasures that make the long miles worthwhile. It successfully balances upbeat, driving country-rock numbers with intimate, heartfelt ballads, proving that the intervening years spent in the remote Australian interior only sharpened his songwriting craft.
Track-by-Track Deep Review
1. Patience
The album kicks off with the title track, a reflective and grounded piece that immediately justifies the album’s name. Sonically, it carries the warm, traditional feel reminiscent of Australian country icon Troy Cassar-Daley. The song serves as a lyrical anchor for the entire record, acknowledging the long road and the necessary waiting required to pursue a dream, setting an immediate tone of humility and perseverance.
2. Days Ending In Why
This track injects a necessary energy boost with its distinct country-rock feel. It’s characterized by sharp, cool guitar licks that cut through the mix. Lyrically, Colum uses clever wordplay, exploring the common theme of questioning decisions and outcomes—a theme relatable to anyone navigating the everyday challenges inherent in a blue-collar life.
3. Time Away
A standout single and emotional centerpiece, “Time Away” is a deeply twangy country ballad dedicated to the struggle of being away from home. The production shines here, featuring a stellar lineup of instrumentation including Luke Gallagher on lead guitar, Emily Gilleneau on fiddle, and Jy Perry on pedal steel. The collective sound is both expansive and deeply intimate, resonating with anyone who has counted down the days until they could return to their loved ones.
4. One More Ride
Echoing the traditional narrative style of country music, “One More Ride” tells the gritty story of a rodeo man chasing one final glory. Like the title track, it has distinct Troy Cassar-Daley touches in its delivery. It’s not a song about fame or buckles, but about the innate, gut-level need for the experience itself before time runs out. The track’s rhythm gives it a driving, dusty feel appropriate for the subject matter.
5. Paradise
Offering a moment of levity and escapism, “Paradise” is a fun, light track that immediately conjures images of summer and sunshine. It works as a classic country “escape song,” pulling the listener away from the hard work and long hours explored elsewhere on the album. Its lighthearted melody provides necessary balance to the album’s heavier themes.
6. Get Livin’
A thematic companion to “Paradise,” “Get Livin’” maintains an upbeat tempo, encouraging listeners to seize the day and embrace life’s moments. It carries a subtle touch of the energy found in Col Finley’s work, urging action over stagnation, a motivational track filtered through a country lens.
7. Here To Stay
This track is a personal favorite for its sheer honesty. “Here To Stay” is a beautifully “real” song, delivered gently and sincerely. It feels like a quiet promise, whether to a loved one or to his musical career itself. Its delicate arrangement allows the vulnerability of Colum’s vocal performance and lyrics to truly stand out.
8. Be Good At It
Channeling a classic traditional sound, “Be Good At It” brings to mind the smooth, confident delivery of Alan Jackson. The track celebrates the pride of mastering one’s craft, whether it’s working a machine, raising a family, or writing a song. It’s a track rooted in the core country value of taking pride in labor.
9. Questions And Answers
“Questions And Answers” is built around a clever conceptual idea that sets it apart. The song has a smooth sound reminiscent of Tracy Byrd, exploring the dialogue and communication challenges inherent in relationships. It’s an intelligent, mid-tempo number that focuses on the back-and-forth required to make any partnership work.
10. Reasons
The album closes on a distinctly different note with “Reasons.” Moving away from pure country, the track incorporates a bluesy edge, giving the album a compelling finish. Despite the blues influence, it maintains a sentimental core, providing an emotional and slightly gritty resolution to the themes of hard work and delayed dreams explored throughout the record. It leaves the listener with a feeling of closure while hinting at the depth and versatility of Colum’s songwriting range.