Search - Paul Carrack :: One Good Reason

Much more than just one good reason

John R. Chaney | Carmel, Indiana | 03/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...to pick up this CD! Recently I was at a book and music shop in Louisville and they were clearing out their cassettes. That was where I got my copy of One Good Reason, which I actually got for my gf because she likes Don't Shed a Tear. After a listen or two however, I stole the tape back from her, and I've listened to it everyday since. This album is nothing short of brilliant. I'm not even a fan of mainstream pop, but this album is so incredibly good, it's irresistable.



1. One Good Reason - The title track. Has an amazing groove. The song is dark, but somehow uplifting. I think he uses some kind of tympani, or at least a synthesized tympani to get that sound on the main riff.



2. When You Walk In the Room - This is actually a remake, I read off of the Carrack website, and it is the only song Paul plays off this album in concert currently, which is a shame. I don't know who the female singer on this song is, but boy is she strong. The harmonies are brilliant here. This song has an amazing key change that makes for a very nice build up just before the finish.



3. Button off My Shirt - A nice, mid-tempo bubblegum chewer, but don't mistake it, Paul sings in full soulfulness in that range only he can hit.



4. Give me a Chance - Tearjerker. Slow with keys. One of the most amazing ballads I've ever heard.



5. Double It Up - My personal favorite song on this album and one of my favorite songs ever. It reminds you of The Heat Is On by the tempo, and the riff is a bit like the Police's Demolition Man, but that doesn't ruin it for me at all. This song would be great in an action movie, maybe during the opening credits. The whole thing is an adrenaline rush. I've tried to sing it many times but it's way too high. On this number, Paul demonstrates an ability to drive the song, to be bluesy and soulful, and have power at the top of his range, all at the same time. The guitars are excellent in this song, as are the horns, but I suspect they are synthesized.



6. Don't Shed A Tear - It's a priveledge to say that this is one of the weaker songs on the album, but it's still a good song. No further comment needed here, this was a major hit in the US.



7. Fire With Fire - This is a great song. I thought, from a songwriter's perspective, that it was clever how they went into that bridge section just before the refrain. That really set it up nicely.



8. Here I Am - Kind of a fast shuffle beat number. This is one of those songs that you wish you knew the lyrics to so you could really try hard to hit those notes, even though you probably don't have a shot in hell. A very singable, danceable upbeat happy song.



9. Collrane - If I'm not mistaken, Collrane is a woman's first name. I've never heard it over here in the US, maybe it's popular over in Europe. This song is sort of dark, but has an epic feel - a tour de force for the band. If I'd written it, I would have included more tension and had more solos to try for a Stairway to Heaven effect, but as it is, which is somewhat short and sweet, the power and gravity of the emotions are fully there. The bass groove is really cool here, too. The echo on the drums was a nice touch. The whole thing screams of intrigue!



10. Figure in Your Life - If this song doesn't bring a tear to your eye, you have no soul. This is a question I think every man has asked a woman, in some way, at some time. This is where PC really shines: he has a knack for finding that little dark spot in your heart and putting it into the right song with the right lyrics.



I guess that about does it for my long-winded review. I can't speak highly enough about the album. It's too bad you can't get it on iTunes and there are no samples here. Maybe you can find CDs out there somewhere. Suburban Voodoo was on CD, this should be too, if it isn't."