Being a music writer has its perks. Once people find out what you do, handshakes, brief bios, flyers and EP’s become common introductory devices. Sometimes it’s embarrassing, but never bothersome. Mostly, it’s beneficial because I receive new, good music for having bare minimum talent. The latter occurred one night at Christopher Pizza Company. I was seated at a table, drinking a cold beverage, when CD packaging flew at my face. Luckily, my reflexes quickly responded and I avoided a puncture wound to the cheek. Though I never caught a glimpse of nor cornered the disc-slinging bandit, I have to admit this was the oddest way for me to meet Patrick Collum and The Law, but I’m glad I did.

I was instantly intrigued and curious due to the title, Ramblin’ Woman, with a photo of a girl picking up luggage. The word ‘rambling’ is close to my heart as I was named after an Allman Brothers Band song and because my favorite Led Zeppelin song is “Ramble On,” but both “Ramblin’ Man” and the Led Zeppelin cut are about men moving on, so I was eager to hear Collum’s take on a female vagabond. However coincidental, after a brief listen on the ride home, I found solace in “Ramblin’ Woman” and “Lovin’ Loves to Ride.”

Title track “Ramblin’ Woman” is a tender plea for her to stay, “you need to stay around for my sake … don’t let me go, I’ll fall for you.” While it’s a tale of infidelity, it’s a tale of unrequited love. He understands her need to rock, roll, roam and ride – simultaneously longing for her knock on the door, kiss and kind words. The music emphasizes the words he keeps inside. Beginning with a lonely acoustic guitar and pedal steel slides indicative of a swooning heart, the drums later emphasize a surrendered contentment with bottled up impatience. In the end, he seems to realize the hopelessness of the situation by repeating, “it’s just a feeling”, with a resonance of defeat. It’s probably words and a song she’ll never hear. After all, love’s not real if it’s just a feeling, right? Discuss.

In “Lovin’ Loves To Ride” I think he finally finds the bravery to tell that woman how he feels, albeit with phone calls to her parents and a rowdy crowd of witnesses. It’s less a love-me-baby, and more a proclamation of I-get-it-and-it’s-okay. I believe she’s in that honky-tonk, among the hoops and hollers, and may be a little ticked off—but she playfully nods when he sings “and it won’t be long before you bring that lovin’ home to me.” Complete with a blues breakdown in the bridge (think Muddy Waters’ “(I’m Your) Hoochie Coochie Man”), the rollicking track will have you slapping you knee and your best buddy by the second verse.