The 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 things off with a radio-friendly upbeat groove and a lyrical urge to "turn this life around," wondering, "why does it take a tragedy to bring us all together?" "I Dream" mixes Shawn Mullins-esque spoken word with a pop-rock chorus, and the confessional "Africa" remembers "Africa, I came to change you / but instead you changed me."
New Map's few weak spots come when the band drops into clichéd territory. "Fill My Cup" asks God to "fill my cup to the top with running water," which is nice, but we've heard it a thousand times before. "Love Me More" enters the same territory, saying "there's nothing I could do to make You love me more." Once again, both the lyrics and music are the same as most other pop songs out there.
The last two cuts redeem whatever problems the album may have. "The Killing Tree" speaks of the cross with a haunting lyric and melody. Paul Colman's vocals are at their best on this cut, brooding and sad at the same time, leading the listener to a place of turbulent reflection. The song superbly captures the mood and feeling as Jesus walked the road to the cross. And "Lullaby" whispers over an acoustic guitar, speaking of redemption and rest before breaking into a soft chorus of hallelujahs.
The Paul Colman Trio has crafted a pop-rock album that stands a cut above the rest due to strong songwriting and pop hooks. A welcome addition to the CCM scene.
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
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,…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Trilisa M. PerrineThe 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…Similar sounding releases
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