May

18

Paulie Pesh- Opportunities EP

Filed Under Updates 

     To start, I feel weird reviewing Paulie Pesh’s new Opportunities EP. I listen to many genres, but acoustic pop isn’t my usual bag. I usually dig the indie. You know. The “hipster” stuff. Pesh’s MySpace bio reads “Paulie’s music is “distinct and thought provoking, inspiring movement within and beyond the rhythm of the beat.”
     This instantly makes me skeptical, of course. I’m used to hyphenated, genre-bending comparisons in the bands I check out. I’m used to the self-depricating, the sly references to high-brow culture. I mean, I’ve seen Death Cab for Cutie twice and read Pitchfork, like, everyday. I make Talking Heads references no one gets. I have street cred to worry about, you know?
     It’s no secret that the hipster oeuvre dodges open sincerity, generally speaking. The sad thing there is that I wind up missing genuinely talented and sincere artists like Paulie Pesh. He’s created very smart, literate mainstream pop, in the vein of Paul Simon, John Mayer, Phil Collins, Dave Matthews, and Randy Newman. Vocally, the guy can even draw comparisons to Michael Buble.
     Pesh’s Opportunities EP will be self-released the 23rd of this month. Hailing from Los Angeles, Pesh has been in 13 bands by age 23. Opportunities was recorded at Tyrone Wells’s studio in Whittier, CA and Pesh made use of his resources, fleshing the sound from his acoustic sketches to a full, warm sound featuring strings and horns. The musicianship is top notch and Pesh’s arranging skills match his songwriting.
     Lyrically, Pesh is the peacemaker, seeking harmony and humility in the world, even playing the hopeless romantic. “I am No Better Than You” finds pride and humility personified: “My friend Humility/Was killed in Los Angeles/ By a guy named Pride/ Who hails from the hills/Humility’s funeral/Was held on Pride birthday/Which they celebrate year round/Like a spinning wheel”.
     You know what? I like those lyrics. I like this EP. Maybe this genre isn’t so bad, after all. Maybe I need to cut down on the Talking Heads references.

“Hidden” by Paulie Pesh from the Opportunities EP

Check out more of Paulie Pesh at www.myspace.com/pauliepesh

Will Thompson enjoys putting somewhat carefully chosen words in relatively meaningful order.

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