Paul Haig - Chain
by Anthony Strutt
published: 31 / 1 / 2008
Label:
Cherry Red Records
Format: CD
intro
Impressive reissue with extra tracks of former Josef K frontman Paul Haig's dance and funk-influenced 1989 solo album
‘Chain’ was originally released by Virgin back in 1989 and is infamous for it sleeve of Audrey Hepburn if nothing else. Paul Haig was the original frontman of Scotland's Josef K who produced a few singles and had just one album, ‘The Only Fun in Town’, which was released in 1981 on the famous Postcard label, the label that influenced Creation records to start up. ‘Something Good’ opens up this remastered CD. It is a catchy pop number with a big synth texture. Paul vocally sounds something like Lloyd Cole or Julian Cope or even Iggy Pop at his most commercial. ‘True Blue’ has a commanding vocal and slow paced backing and recalls Scott Walker in its sound. ‘Communication’ is different in its direction. It has a big 80’s and dreaded 12 inch remix sound. It starts off sounding like a Japan number and finishes off sounding like a Julian Cope track. ‘Swinging for You’ is acoustic and piano based with a soft Iggy-like croon of a vocal. ‘Time of Her Life’ is a rocking number with some Prince-style funky guitar sound to it. ‘Faithless’ is more spacey and has a lonesome piano sound to it. It sounds huge and has a vocal Scott Walker would be proud of. ‘Times Can Change’ again has an 80’s remix feel, and is quite poppy in a kids Saturday morning TV show style. ‘Turn the Vision’ recalls the David Bowie of ‘Let's Dance’, while ‘Sooner or Later ‘ has a commercial sound and brass added to it. ‘Chained’ is the only cover. Written by Billy MacKenzie of the Associates, it has a dancey, chunky sound and funk beats. ‘Ideal of Living’ is an instrumental with a Happy Mondays/’Wrote for Luck’ groove. This ends the original album, but the remaster adds a few extra tracks. The 10" mix of ‘Something Good’ was originally unreleased, and has a bigger cleaner sound. ‘Over You’ is poppy with great rhythm and has an Iggy-style photo, while ‘Free to Go (Public)’ is very sample based sounding like Paul Hardcastle's '19'. The remix of ‘Ideal of Living’, has a vocal version, while ‘The Last Kiss’ which ends this CD sounds like a Cure soundscape or a short Japan instrumental.
Track Listing:-
1 Something Good2 True Blue
3 Communication
4 Swinging For You
5 Time Of Her Time
6 Faithless
7 Times Can Change
8 Turn The Vision
9 Sooner Or Later
10 Chained
11 Ideal Of Living
12 Something Good (10'' Mix)
13 Over You
14 Free To Go (Public)
15 Ideal Of Living (Remix)
16 The Last Kiss
Label Links:-
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/https://www.facebook.com/CherryRedRecords
https://twitter.com/cherryredgroup
https://www.youtube.com/CherryRedRecords
reviews |
Relive (2010) |
Energetic and diverse latest album from former Josef K front man Paul Haig, who after almost nearly twenty years of making instrumental music has released with this his third album of vocal-led music in two and a half years |
Go Out Tonight (2008) |
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Secret Shine - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Zombies - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Ty Segall - Three Bells
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart