Even in this global, cross-cultural, genre-hopping age, some music still vibes and vibrates in tune with a definite location. In the same way that the likes of Springsteen could only be the product of blue-collar America or the Kinks sound of London, Paul Kelly’s songs are alive with the Australian experience. Though not to the degree that anyone not hailling from that part of the world will feel unwelcome. Not at all, for the one thing that Paul is brilliant at, one of the many things, is writing songs that are both personal accounts yet wonderfully relatable, which might come at you with an Australian sonic accent but are just as infectious and accessible to any fans of discerning music, no matter where they are to be found.
This first batch of new material in about six years reminds us why he is such a popular and well-regarded musician. Right from the jaunty, mature-pop vibe of “Houndstooth Dress,” it is clear that we are in the presence of a talented musician. But then, anyone on their twenty-ninth album who gets to record at Neil Finn’s Roundhead studio is someone who knows what they are doing.
The current single, “Taught By Experts”, is a reworking of a much earlier song, originally a banjo-led bluegrass tune, now a chiming power-pop piece; it is proof that the story of a song is never finished and that the brave writer will continue to find new sonic outlets for his musical children.
“All Those Smiling Faces” is a more considered and serious affair, a gorgeous weave of lush acoustic guitars and distant, squalling electric blues lines, “Eight Hours Sleep” is a deft and delicate lullaby, “Northern Rivers” takes on a cool country twang and “Hello Melancholy, Hello Joy” shows that he is perfectly at home with the wide-screen, anthemic rock and soul as well as more nuanced sounds.
As always, love and longing, romance and relationship are his predominant themes – timeless subjects put to a cutting-edge sound.
When you have been making music and releasing albums as long as Paul Kelly has, there are obviously certain expectations put upon you by the audience and certain standards set for yourself. But how Paul Kelly keeps upping his game with each release is anyone’s guess. Yet he does, and we are grateful to him for doing so.
