The release of New Map of the World marks the Paul Colman Trio's first label release as well as their venture into the American market. This threesome, which hails from Australia, has released four independent CDs and just recently signed with Essential Records.
While this album is a solid acoustic-pop/rock offering, it does not offer much that stands out from the crowd. The album is well produced, has a rather pleasing sound, and flows well as a whole, which gives a good first impression. However, after the final notes of the well chosen closing track, "Lullaby," have sounded it is rather apparent that something is missing -- depth.
There are a number of songs which begin to explore interesting images and concepts, but unfortunately most of them slip into trite lyrics and never really achieve their full potential. "Sun-Stars-Moon" makes the statement "I want to be the moon 'cause it reflects the sun, don't want to be the star that shines on everyone," which seems intriguing, but the rest of the lyrics fall down on the job and never hash out the details or further the image. It's as though a provocative phrase was found and a song was quickly thrown
around the catchy chorus; it just doesn't seem complete. There are many hook filled tracks that keep you singing with their memorable choruses, but this lyrical problem plagues the album from song to song. Another notable example happens in "Selfish Song" where references to historical figures, such as Hitler and Stalin, are mixed with the concepts of "the terrible two's" and selfishness. Then the question "why did they nail Him upon a tree?" is answered with "'cause He said, everyone is singing such a selfish song." Not only does the juxtaposition of political jargon and commentary on human selfishness fall flat, but the simplistic answer to such a weighty question seems pat and presumptuous.
Despite the lyrical issue, this recording offers some enjoyable sounds and interesting arrangements. In "Africa" the trio adds an African drum sound to the mix to give an appropriate feel, and the use of strings throughout the album adds an appealing layer to keep the listener interested. The band has a sound that fans of label-mate Third Day will enjoy and appreciate, and the recent tour which included both of these bands was indeed a good fit.
Overall the album is pleasant enough to listen to, but the lyrics keep it from being one that will satisfy in the long run.
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Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by John WilsonThe Paul Colman Trio is a popular Australian band, recently named that country's Artist of the Year by a major sales chart. Their American debut, New Map of the World, has a lot going for it, including Monroe Jones as producer, early radio success with "Turn," and a high-profile slot opening for Third Day on the Come Together Tour but does the album live up to its advance billing? "Turn" starts…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Bert GanglAs a rule, the albums that listeners perceive as debut efforts are actually the last link in an oftentimes long chain of successively more popular earlier efforts. Two projects into his solo career, Australian singer Paul Colman recruited bassist Grant Norsworthy and drummer Phil Gaudion to form the Paul Colman Trio in late 1998. The first of the group's four indie projects, 1999's Serious Fun,…Similar sounding releases
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