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Rating: PAOLO NUTINI arrives out of nowhere, with force, with the super hit "new shoes" that invades the world, and a face of a spoiled kid, handsome enough, quite sure of himself. Then you discover that the other day he was eleven years old and you perk up, especially when you realize that he is not a boyband type, and that he writes and plays his own songs. So you buy the CD and realize you are not facing just another average talent, but a great talent destined to do great things. The CD itself does not change the history of music, but if the saying "a good day starts in the morning" is anything to go by...
But let's move on to the songs review:
Jenny don't be hasty (rating 7): The first song of the first album must be absolutely amazing by default. And in this case, I'd say we're quite there. Thumbs down for the choice of the initial little guitar, a sound overused time and again, but the track is catchy and immediately grabs you. Anyone else would have postponed the first chorus after the second verse, but here it arrives promptly and immediately clarifies a concept: Paolino finds simple and catchy melodies with the same ease and frequency as Bono blesses the crowd at his concerts. The song is about a kid who cannot abide by age-related restrictions... and I'd say it fits perfectly.
Last Request (rating 8): the perhaps too melancholic start is deceiving. The song, a dragging and well-structured slow track, once it takes off, compels you to nod your head and showcases talent to spare, especially in the compositional phase.
Rewind (rating 6): The arrangement seems designed to highlight the singer's vocal abilities, which he proves by filling out the track well and making it interesting even with just barely hinted and very basic instruments. A verse without infamy nor praise, while the chorus is the strong part once again. Dragging, to say the least... and that's certainly not a small thing!
Million faces (rating 5): is practically just sung, between falsettos, breaths, and powerfully balanced interludes. Here you await the chorus eagerly, and when it arrives, it doesn't disappoint, supported by a classy Hammond. The track, however, altogether is a bit light despite the strings that try to give it substance from halfway onward. Lack of imagination in the finale.
These streets (rating 7): Usual format of the first tracks, in terms of atmosphere, instrumental lightness, and vocal performance. Here the chorus is one of those that really stays in your head, made really incisive by a crescendo of the verse; it's one of those that you sing together at the sports arena even without accompaniment, maybe with a lighter in hand. A real gem.
New Shoes (rating 9): And here's the hit. It was needed to avoid slipping into monotony, and by track number six, the risk was there... this track is such a hit that I'm sure many criticize it as light or too commercial. Yet it has everything it needs, and it both pulls and attracts like few others. The superficial lyrics are as they should be, an excellent choice of sound, a bit rock&roll and a bit folk, almost country in some sounds. Ten and praise for the vocal performance, like a seasoned rock star. The melody is so catchy it makes you envious, and altogether the song slips away, giving the impression that it lasts too little. If we still had cassettes, this track would be the first to demagnetize from excessive use. Thumbs up.
White lies (rating 5): Not every doughnut comes out with a hole. Fairly weak, especially with the purposeful dissonance that acts as a link to the instrumental pieces, but the melody is good even here.
Loving you (rating 5): Less successful than others, it shows the now established vocal and compositional talent. Faded compared to the previous ones. Filler.
Autumn (rating 4\5): Good job Paolo, you sing well, we have figured that out by now. But you also know how to bore. Perhaps this could appeal to the romantics, but not to me. I go back to track 6 to forgive you.
Alloway grove (rating 7): A sprinkle of vitality was needed at this point, and here it is with this fast, very folk, very cheerful, very well-structured song, which can't help but be liked. The chorus in this case is a bit predictable (the "lalla lalla là" has had its time), but given the precedents, it's acceptable. When the instruments (or almost) go silent, the voice takes center stage, and it's magic. Too bad about the ending, it could have been better.
The album, altogether, is very enjoyable, despite the light, almost amateur production. Paolo's voice is the strong point, and it stands out clearly. A true singer-songwriter, with guts, like we haven't seen in a while.
LIVE: I saw Paolo Nutini in concert recently. After following him on TV and via the internet, I had the suspicion that he might take himself a bit too seriously, and I was cautious because I don't like those who modify the vocal lines too much live, which is a specialty here. At times, with my eyes closed, it seemed like I was listening to a seventy-year-old "chewing" his voice due to dentures... but this was the only weak point. Other than that, extremely high level, from all points of view, and he, the absolute protagonist, who wore a tank top I wouldn't even wear to wash the car while closed in the garage, does not pose as a good singer... He is a good singer, indeed! A great professional, a great talent, which I recommend to all those who love singer-songwriters from across the channel.
The finale, with a "Caruso" sung with guitar and voice to celebrate his Italian origins, made the hairs on my arms stand on end. Damn, what a voice!
Rock on!
Vito
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Jenny Don't Be Hasty (03:29)
You said you'd marry me if I was 23
But I'm one that you can't see if I'm only 18
Tell me who made these rules
Obviously not you
Who are you answering to?
Oh, Jenny don't be hasty
No, don't treat me like a baby
Let me take you where you'll let me
Because leaving just upsets me
And I'll be around again
To see these other men
Who are more adequate
In the age department
If I did not think you cared
There'd be no problems here
But now you're looking at me like you're disgusted
And I'm definitely waiting for you to smile and change your mind
Then I'll say I'm sorry and I'll wrap my arms 'round your body
And I really hope that you forgive in a hurry
And don't just ask me to leave
Oh, Jenny don't be hasty
Don't treat me like a baby
Let me take you where you'll let me
Because leaving just upsets me
Oh, Jenny you are crazy!
First I'm perfect, then I'm lazy
And I was calling you my baby
Now it sounds like you've just left me
And it kills me!
02 Last Request (03:41)
Slow down, lie down, remember it's just you and me
Don't sell out, bow out, remember how this used to be
I just want you closer is that alright, baby let's get closer tonight
Grant my last request and just let me hold you
Don't shrug your shoulders, lay down beside me
Sure I can accept that we're going nowhere
But one last time let's go there, lay down beside me
Now I've found, that I'm bound, to wander down that one-way road
And I realise all about your lies, but I'm no wiser than the fool that I was before
I just want you closer is that alright, baby let's get closer tonight
Grant my last request and just let me hold you
Don't shrug your shoulders, lay down beside me
Sure I can accept that we're going nowhere
But one last time let's go there, lay down beside me
Baby, baby, baby, tell me how can, how can this be wrong?
Grant my last request and just let me hold you
Don't shrug your shoulders, lay down beside me
Sure I can accept that we're going nowhere
But one last time let's go there, lay down beside me
One last time let's go there, lay down beside me
03 Rewind (04:19)
Pickin up the pieces
Of the wreck you went and left
And I'm dealing with dilemmas
In my not-so-stressful life
And I'm drinking stronger spirits
I made my home here on the floor
And I'm losing all ambition and goals
And I'm going all out
And I'm thinking you're just as bad
No sleeping at night
But I'm going from bar to bar
Why can't we just rewind
Why can't we just rewind
Why can't we just rewind
Oh remember at 16
Oh the crazy drunken night we had
When I kissed you in the hallway
Then I took you straight to bed
Well two years on
And I'm still that same boy
And I'm not sleeping at night
But I'm going from bar to bar
Why can't we just rewind
Why can't we just rewind
Why can't we just rewind oh
No sleeping at night
But I'm going from bar to bar
Why can't we just rewind
Why can't we just rewind
Why can't we just rewind oh
You might blame it on me
But you persisted that we fall
Wiped your hands of me
And said you needed more, more, more
And I'm not sleeping at night
But I'm going from bar to bar
Why can't we just rewind
Why can't we just rewind
Why can't we just rewind oh
And I'm not sleeping at night
But I'm going from bar to bar
Why can't we just rewind
Why can't we just rewind
Why can't we just rewind oh
Wo woah woah woah
Wo woah woah woah
Wo wo woah
Can't we just rewind
04 Million Faces (03:41)
Oh the phone you know it never stops, it's the last thing I hear at night
And the first thing in the morning
And as I let it start to burn my head, you slowly creep into bed
And I'm done with all the talking
You say you know how I'm feeling, I just need to try to settle down
Oh a million faces pass my way
Oh they're all the same, nothing seem to change anytime I look around
Oh who knows just what the future holds
All I want to know is if it's with you
Tired as hell and falling up the stairs
Filled with a thousand cares as you walk out from the bedroom
And though it feels like all my fire has gone
girl, you just turn me on
Can't believe how much I want you
You say you know how I'm feeling, I just need to try to settle down
Though a million faces pass my way
Oh they're all the same, nothing seems to change anytime I look around
Oh who knows just what the future holds
All I want to know is if it's with you
We're distracted by the hard times, and the troubles that we make
Let us throw them in the ocean, let it wash our cares away
Oh the phone you know it never stops, it's the last thing I hear at night
And the first thing in the morning
Oh a million faces pass my way
Oh they're all the same, nothing seem to change anytime I look around
Oh who knows just what the future holds
All I want to know is if it's with you
We're distracted by the hard times, and the troubles that we make
Let us throw them in the ocean, let it wash our cares away
Oh the phone you know it never stops, it's the last thing I hear at night
And the first thing in the morning
Let it wash our cares away, let it wash our cares away...
05 These Streets (03:53)
Cross the border into the big bad World
Where it takes you 'bout an hour just to cross the road,
Just to stumble across another poor old soul from
The dreary old lanes to the high-street madness.
I fight with my brain to believe my eyes,
And it's harder than you think
To believe this sadness that creeps up my spine
And haunts me through the night.
And life is good and the girls are gorgeous
Suddenly the air smells much greener now.
And I'm wandering around with a half pack of cigarettes,
Searching for the change that I've lost somehow
These streets have too many names for me
I'm used to Glenfield Road and spending my time down in Ochy
I'll get used to this eventually
I know, I know
Where'd the days go? When all we did was play
And the stress that we were under wasn't stress at all
Just a run and a jump into a harmless fall from
Walking by a high-rise to a landmark square.
You see millions of people with millions of cares
And I struggle to the train to make my way home
I look at the people as they sit there alone
Life is good, and the sun is shining
Everybody flirts to their ideal place
And the children all smile as a boat shuffled by them
Trying to pretend that they've got some space
These streets have too many names for me
I'm used to Glenfield Road and spending my time down in Ochy
I'll get used to this eventually
I know, I know
These streets have too many names for me
I'm used to Glenfield Road and spending my time down in Ochy
I'll get used to this eventually
I know, I know
Life is good and the girls are gorgeous
Suddenly the air smells much greener now
And I'm wondering around with a half pack of cigarettes
Searching for the change that I've lost somehow
These streets have too many names for me
I'm used to Glenfield Road and spending my time down in Ochy
I'll get used to this eventually
I know, I know
These streets have too many names for me
I'm used to Glenfield Road and spending my time down in our Ochy
I'll get used to this eventually
I know, I know
06 New Shoes (03:21)
Woke up cold one Tuesday,
I'm looking tired and feeling quite sick.
I felt like there was something missing in my day-to-day life,
So, I quickly opened the wardrobe,
Pulled out some jeans and a t-shirt that seemed clean.
Topped it off with a pair of old shoes,
That were ripped around the seams.
And, I thought, These shoes just don't suit me.
Hey, I put some new shoes on,
And suddenly everything is right.
I said, Hey, I put some new shoes on, and everybody's smiling,
It's so inviting.
Oh, short on money,
But, long on time,
Slowly strolling in the sweet sunshine,
And I'm running late,
And I don't need an excuse,
'Cause I'm wearing my brand new shoes.
Woke up late one Thursday,
And, I'm seeing stars as I'm rubbing my eyes.
And, I felt like there were two days missing,
As I focused on the time.
And I made my way to the kitchen,
But, I had to stop from the shock of what I found,
A room full of all of my friends all dancing 'round and 'round,
And, I thought, Hello, New Shoes,
Bye-bye blues.
Hey, I put some new shoes on,
And suddenly everything is right.
I said, Hey, I put some new shoes on and everybody's smiling,
It's so inviting.
Oh, short on money,
But long on time,
Slowly strolling in the sweet sunshine,
And I'm running late,
And I don't need an excuse,
'Cause I'm wearing my brand new shoes.
Take me wanderin' through these streets,
Where bright lights and angels meet.
Stone to stone they take me on,
I'm walking 'til the break of dawn.
Take me wanderin' through these streets,
Where bright lights and angels meet,
Stone to stone they take me on,
I'm walking 'til the break of dawn.
Hey, I put some new shoes on,
And suddenly everything is right.
I said, Hey, I put some new shoes on, and everybody's smiling,
It's so inviting.
Oh, short on money,
But, long on time,
Slowly strolling in the sweet sunshine,
And I'm running late,
And I don't need an excuse,
'Cause I'm wearing my brand new shoes.
Oh,hey, I put some new shoes on,
And suddenly everything is right.
I said, Hey, I put some new shoes on, and everybody's smiling,
It's so inviting.
Oh, short on money,
But, long on time,
Slowly strolling in the sweet sunshine,
And I'm running late,
And I don't need an excuse,
'Cause I'm wearing my brand new shoes.
07 White Lies (04:00)
There's a heart on the line, and it rests with your eyes
Please don't fade and please don't cry, 'cause it's all white lies
Take a chance watch it fall, grab too much and lose it all
Now I've lost my disguise, it was all white lies
Stay here, lie here with me, oh lo-fi, lonely sighs
I will roam lost but never alone, hide with me, hide
Would it help if I tried, or has it sailed and passed me by
First love grows then it does, and its all white lies
Stay here, lie here with me, oh lo-fi, lonely sighs
I will roam lost but never alone, hide with me, hide with me
Now you move with the tide and I've heard you've found peace of mind
And I know that life's design moves around white lies, white lies, white lies, white lies
08 Loving You (04:00)
Ohh ohhh woww yeaa
Back off loneliness and hello tenderness
I've been waiting for your call for so long
And it musta been hard just to follow your soul
To stick to the road that your heart wants you to go
And as you slide through the door
With your morals on your sleeve
And I think it's time for all those morals to leave
So let's get down and freaky baby, let's get restless baby
C'mon get crazy with me
And I said
When you're loving me, I'm loving you
And I love the prowess in the things that you do
And its your flawless soul that bleeds my stone
And when you're loving me I'm loving you and that's when we've got it goin' on
Oooooo so many people think we've got it wrong
They all try to break us but we wont play along
So let's get down and dirty baby, let's get restless baby
C'mon get crazy with me
And I said
When you're loving me, I'm loving you
And I love the prowess in the things that you do
And its your flawless soul that bleeds my stone
And when you're loving me I'm loving you and that's when we've got it goin' on
Oh goin on and I was so distracted I was lost and abandoned
And I needed another home and you flew in my arms you just flew right into my arms
And when you're loving me, I'm loving you
And I love the prowess in the things that you do
And it's your flawless soul that bleeds my stone
And when you're loving me I'm loving you and that's when we've got it goin' on
When you're loving me, I'm loving you
And I love the prowess in the things that you do
And it's your flawless soul that bleeds my stone
And when you're loving me I'm loving you and that's when we've got it goin' on
On and on
And it's your flawless soul that bleeds my stone
And when you're loving me I'm loving you and that's when we've got it goin' on
09 Autumn (02:50)
Autumn leaves under frozen souls,
Hungry hands turning soft and old,
My hero crying as we stood out there in the cold,
Like these autumn leaves I don't have nothing to hold.
Handsome smiles wearing handsome shoes,
Too young to say, though I swear he knew,
And I hear him singing while he sits there in his chair,
While these autumn leaves float around everywhere.
And I look at you, and I see me,
Making noise so restlessly,
But now it's quiet and I can hear you sing,
'My little fish dont cry, my little fish dont cry.'
Autumn leaves how fading now,
That smile that I've lost, well I've found some how,
Because you still live on in my father's eyes,
These autumn leaves, all these autumn leaves, all these autumn leaves are yours tonight.
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