Sunday, March 09, 2008

Album Review: Paul Haig




Paul Haig -' Go Out Tonight.' (Rhythm Of Life)

Nearly thirty years since he first rose to prominence in Josef K, Paul Haig releases his tenth solo album. Mining the electonica that has characterised much of his solo career, this album -as it's title suggests - focuses on what happens when you go out, in a world of violence, CCTV and crowded nightclubs. That isn't to suggest that the album is full of urban paranoia, like a scottish take on Grime, for example, but rather that lurking belief the deceptively simple electronics lurks and beats a darker, more watchful heart than might be suggested by a casual listen.

If you think that Haig has well and truly long abandoned the choppy guitar riffs that characterised his work with Josef K, the sound now known as post-punk, there are still hints of that here, on opener 'Troublemaker' and first single 'Hippy Dippy Pharmaceutically Trippy'. The electronica may not be startlingly original, but apart from 'Fantasize' it doesn't descend into aural wallpaper.

Thirty years into his musical career, though, Paul Haig ably demonstrates that he still has plenty to say, both musically and lyrically, and that he deserves to be remembered for more than Josef K.

****

Go Out Tonight will be released on Rhythm of Life on April 14 2008

From Go Out Tonight:

Paul Haig -'Troublemaker.' mp3

Paul Haig -'Hippy Dippy Pharmaceutically Trippy.' mp3

Paul Haig -'Gone In A Moment.' mp3

Some earlier Paul Haig tracks:

Paul Haig -'Justice.' mp3

Paul Haig -'In The World.' mp3

Paul Haig -'Heaven Sent.' mp3

Paul Haig -'Big Blue World.' mp3

...and a Josef K classic:

Josef K - 'Sorry For Laughing.' mp3

MySpace

8 comments:

david said...

Top stuff again Ed. I remember Paul Haig playing with Nectarine No 9 at the old RAFA club in Glasgow. Can't remember if he was a formal member of that tea or not though.
Always good to hear the man, and the new tracks sound very promising to me.
Here's a thought for you - Emma Pollok and Dave Gedge playing together. Remember what album that was on?

So It Goes said...

I'm not getting into the 'is this or Propoganda better' argument, and just say that Josef K and the German wizards each have their own virtues. Thanks a bundle for putting it up, Eduardo.

Ed said...

David -think it was a Cinerama album, will investigate.

sig - had forgotten Propaganda covered one of Josef K songs, anyone know what is was...?

Ed

david said...

Sorry for laughing
:D

PS Just been listening to Cinerama, just thought I'd get you thinking,knowing how you feel about EP.

Unknown said...

Ed,

I'm going to be picky....so apologies in advance.

By putting so many great tracks from one album under one posting, you're making it easy for the downloaders to avoid going out and buying the still widely available Paul Haig stuff from this great era (I used to almost have a haircut like his one you know....).

Why not just put up one and talk about the others??

Ed said...

Er, fair enough, I guess, will post some of the 7"s I've picked up later.

What did you make of the new suff BTW?

Ed

Unknown said...

Its exceptional.

The pain in the arse thing is that he's playing King Tuts on Sunday 4th May........same night as Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds are at the Carling. And I never miss Mr Cave for anyone....

Ed said...

That's two great gigs on the same night. Would that Edinburgh had the same sort of problem...