I’ve been hearing a big buzz about Paul Steel for months now. Mix even parts Brian Wilson and Roger Manning Jr. and you get a good idea of who Paul Steel is. A Singer/songwriter extraordinaire came out with “April & I” in the UK last year and as he’s about to release his newest “Moon Rock” album any day now, we across the pond get wind of this talent through this incredible debut now. How do I start with this one? Well it opens with a swirling orchestral sweep of an introduction worthy of “Pet Sounds” and “The Wizard of Oz” soundtrack combined. This leads to the Andy Partridge-like “April” a piano pop joyous ode complete with Jellyfish-styled production throughout. Then with a Wilsonesque opening, “Worst Day” tells the story of the album. A bouncy mid-tempo pop aria, with Bacharach styled horn flourishes. “Take It or Leave It” is a slick orchestral doo wop similar to The Grease soundtrack. The missteps here are “School Bully” which turns into a frenzied dance track, and the funny, but profane “Honkin‘ on the Crackpipe” which goes a bit overboard here. The ending tunes “Grown Up and Away”, “April and I” and “Imaginary” are an orchestral pop triumph on first listen. The entire album package concept is imaginative here too; made to look like a child’s book on heavy cardboard stock with stick figure drawings. If the lyrics were a bit less adult, you could play this to your kids. Steel makes the album “April & I” a big fat love letter to his childhood, complete with an imaginary girlfriend. In fact, it’s closer to “tween-age symphony to God” or Broadway Show soundtrack in 30 minutes, than a straight pop album. And if you enjoy that kind of novelty, you’ll eat this up. Apparently a host of famous musicians have. Kudos from The Wondermints and VanDyke Parks included. Beach Boys and Jellyfish fans alike will rejoice.
UPGRADE: This albums hooks just continue to eat away at my resistance. After multiple listens, I’m upgrading this rating.
The Paul Steel web site | MySpace | iTunes