from:
CrossRhythms, online, 2002
author: Peter Bate (UK)
website: http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk
»» Paul Colman Trio
New Map Of The World
Essential 8306106862
Straight-ahead earnest rock is all the rage at the mo, and the pc3
(as they like to be known) are not ones to stare a gift horse in the
mouth. Following in the slipsteam of Semisonic, Jimmy Eat World and
co, Australia's Paul Colman offers a spiritual slant to the genre on
his group's major label debut. Openers "Turn" and "Run"
are terrific rushes of guitar-pop adrenalin, Colman urging the church/world
to "turn this life around" before it's too late. But, despite
the catchy worship track "Fill My Cup", things sag a bit in
the middle - the band clutching at the MOR safety net a bit too eagerly.
Patience rewards, though, as the angsty "Selfish Song" is
just around the corner, preparing the way for album highlight "I
Dream", a wide-eyed vision of end-time angelic splendour that U2
would be proud of.
reviewer's rating: 8/10 ["very good indeed"]
--Peter Bate ««
