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
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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