Paul K - Clippings

Amplifier Vol 4, No 1 CD Reviews PAUL K A WILDERNESS OF MIRRORS (ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK)
Oft overlooked and clearly not appreciated, Paul K (Kopasz) has once again released an all-encompassing "rock" album. A Wilderness Of Mirrors is another notch on the butt of Kopasz's musical rifle. Presented as the Original Motion Picture Sound track to a film now 20 years old, Paul K has used high concept (or is it high-brow?) to present a story of disaffection and loneliness. This is, of course, not a real sound track. However, it is epic in scope and cinematic in theme. Kopasz has created the idea of a film titled A Wilderness Of Mirrors (based on the book by Job!) in which, during the late 1940s, the protagonist, Alvin Broady, is called out with his National Guard unit late one night to clear some wreckage near Roswell, New Mexico (Yes, that Roswell. Catching on?). What he sees amazes him, but he realizes that he cannot tell anyone about it, ever. From this point, it all goes down hill for Al and his wife Anne. An amazing and bizarre tale that involves bankruptcy, cancer, rape (by a doctor no less), paralysis, a psychiatric hospital, and a crying clown. And Paul K pulls it off completely! The concept sounds as though it would overwhelm the fact that this is a rock album, not a real sound track. But Paul K and his band do an amazing job here. The songs are clearly songs and the concept only serves to set the table for the main course.		Beginning with the clanging of hammer to metal, "Overture" introduces us to the story. Acoustic guitar accompanied by haunting background, the band begins a slow simmer. Perhaps most amazing is how adept the group is at making the songs singular. That is, how they can make each tune seem like random pop/rock tunes on any typical album. But typical it is not. And the concept feeds the great songs. Paul K. also continues to show his range. Like 1995's Love Is A Gas, the songs cover nearly all rock and roll ground. From the lilting Neil Young of "Imperial Statues," to the seething, terrifying roll of "The Doctor Will See You Now" (a truly amazing, and creepy song), Paul K shows his amazing grasp and love of all the sounds rock and roll has become. He mixes alt rock with "new wave," classic rock with folk, Motown with jazz, Tom Waits with Cheap Trick, and it all comes out in a weird, beautiful blend. Paul K. is one of rock music's most gifted artists, and it's high time we acknowledge that. A Wilderness Of Mirrors is a terrific place to start. -- Kurt Hernon