Tuesday 9 September 2014

Music - Part 286 - Paul McLinden


Paul McLinden – Head Happy (OneInchPunch Records)
CD/DL
Out Now


Glaswegian Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist releases his new album.

Artists you might think of whilst listening to Head Happy – Velvet Underground, John Lee Hooker, Babybird, Oasis….

How lovely to hear another of those in the dying breed of perfect pop writers.  Paul McLinden plays every instrument on ten tracks which are not only melodious and catchy, but also damn fine tunes. 

Not a name you may be familiar with although he has already he regularly appears on CSI New York and movie soundtracks Gangster Squad and Return To Zero.  Classically trained, he studied with the Scottish National Orchestra and has clearly picked up useful experiences to accompany his already brimming natural talent.

Opener, the title track and recent single launches the album without chance to get comfortable in your seat.  Head Happy is a cracking, hypnotic track which is how all album openers should be.   It’s repetitive without being too much so well worthy of a play on any radio station.



The AA to Head Happy, Cheer Up is also here.  A rockier affair and completely different sounding track as are many of the efforts on the album.  Whether The Weather has definite sounds of Stephen Jones (Babybird) and his underrated knack of writing some of the finest songs never to grace the airwaves, whilst Green Eyed Monster displays Paul’s aptitude at writing slower paced songs too.

Final track Paper Town has Indian influences with an almost sitar tinged guitar sound which adds a mystique as the album closes.

At less than twenty-seven minutes, Head Happy is an album of quality over quantity, and McLinden’s songwriting prowess means that he already has another fifteen tracks demoed for his 2015 album.  With a host of presenters from Mary Anne Hobbs to Don Letts and Lauren Laverne keen to play his music, it’s only a matter of time before the UK is soon aware of his talents.

9/10

Links
One Inch Punch Records
Paul McLinden website
Paul McLinden on Twitter


Published on Louder Than War 3/09/14 - here




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