Colman's History doesn't go back far enough
Posted January 28, 2009
By Nathan,
Although Paul Colman is not a household name his actions surrounding Christian music can be found easily with his work with his band The Paul Colman Trio, his many radio singles including “fill my cup” and “the one thing”, performing with the Newsboys for a few years and most recently putting together his sophomore project History.
While fans might get excited about Colman’s first project since his debut in 2005 (let it go) there is actually little to get excited about for those who are searching for new martial. History contains several of singles and a few covered songs (one belonging to the very reputable Toby Keith). However getting if can you can past Colman’s lack of innovation or have not yet heard the guitarist than it might be worth it to pick up a copy of his pop/light rock/acoustic style of music.
Probably one the best song on the album is pop/rock single “Run” which is a fun version which sounds like a lighter version Five Iron Frenzy’s “Kamikaze” despite some lame bits of music. However the surrounding singles are not nearly as strong musically like the simple “fill my cup”, “the one thing which is a decent but not very complex worship song, and pop tune “turn” which suffers because it’s poorly place electric guitar riffs. Colman’s version of Delirious?’s “History maker” opens with a muffled electric intro that shifts well into upbeat medium rock chorus Which, surprisingly enough, sounds like the News Boys.
The second half of the album sounds like it’s a live performance only the excellent “the killing tree” is live which is probably a good addition to the already strong solemn sounding complex light rock song. However besides another one of Colman’s cover song “sweet song of salvation” little are great songs, though some have good components. “I own it all” has a little worship flair to the solid ending ballad, and while “all U need” is not overpowering Colman puts a solid amount on emotion on the light track.
If you thought that the music went up and down the lyrics share a similar ride, though its high’s doesn’t often reach altitude. Fortunately Colman didn’t write the purely music driven “sweet song of salvation” because it’s lyrics rank lower than a Sunday school song. While Colman was able to take most of the country out of “If I was Jesus” the song is still a little cliché and takes a very nonchalant look into Christ’s life though some of the lyrics are thoughtful (‘I'd have some friends that were poor/I'd run around with the wrong crowd, man I'd never be bored/Then I'd heal me a blind man, get myself crucified’).
Aside from some other lyrically weak songs ("Gloria (All God's Children)" and unrealistic “fill my cup) there are some solid messages though not many are eye opening. “Turn” wonders why it takes tragedy to bring us together, while “solution” calls believers to be a radical like Christ in this world, and “all U need”, which has songwriting on par the very skillful “killing tree” asks good questions (‘Do you believe that we'll live forever/Or will just go back to the dust we're from? /When morality's up for sale/Do you still believe in a right and wrong’).
A best of for a guy who has technically put out one album seems a little absurd but the results are fine—if you can get past the cover tracks among other parts which don’t reflect originality. So for those seeking a pop album with plenty of acoustic and praise and worship side martial will be happy Paul Colman’s history, but those who are already a fan will probably take a hike.
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