Paul K - Clippings - Melody Maker


	Melody Maker 12/91 THE BIG NOWHERE (SilenZ) AMERICAN musical heritage weighs heavily on Paul K’s bony shoulders. "The Big Nowhere" uses blues, country, folk and jazz to get its bleak message across. It’s a painful journey through the downside of Stateside life, but this isn’t just an arty trip to the poor side of town, for Paul K is a man that has definitely suffered. He’s been jailed, beaten up and lived in places that rats would run from. The pain in his voice could make a hard man cry. Over gentle acoustic flutters he mumbles the words to "Superhighway" as if he hasn’t the energy to carry on. And when he sings "Won’t you take me with you," with a quiver, you can feel his whole world crumbling around him. "Post Office Pin Up" rings true as well. This heartfelt story about making one big withdrawal from his local store and getting his picture on every wanted poster, is so chillingly real you wonder how many times he’s actually done it. There’s no bragging or posing about a life of crime here, just remorse, hatred and a sick feeling in the pit of the stomach. Paul K may use country chords and devices, but he never lets his music wallow in artificial agony. Each song is slow, sombre and drawn out for maximum effect; Gram Parsons’ "Thousand Dollar Wedding" is beautifully re-enacted. "The Big Nowhere" is an album that bleeds with anguish. Ignore it at your peril. ZANE