Artist: Paul Colman
Album: Let it go
Producer: Inpop
Sound: Neil Finn, John Mayer, PC3

He's "let go" of the trio (although he's obtained a trike according to the album artwork), and ties in Australia, and of course "Let It Go" refers to the spiritual aspect, but jumping headlong into the Nashville music machine that considers him a decent drawcard already could be considered simply a shrewd business move.

The result is big names playing on the CD, including Kenny Aronoff, and Newsboys' Peter Furler as executive producer. With Furler on board, you could expect some Australian-ness. After all, as well as the knack for a memorable pop hook, that has been part of Paul's charm (without becoming corny). But with all the production this is even more generically Nashville-sounding than "One".

Despite this, "Let It Go" is a very personal album, full of his internal struggles, especially over pride, like on the otherwise funky "Nothing Without You" where he berates himself over acting like a rock star. The songs sound like they're the result of agonised late night hotel room writing sessions. Of course, God comes up trumps, but all the questioning can make for uneasy listening. And in the end is all this obsession with his own faults itself a twisted form of ego-mania?
Paul Colman

If that all seems negative, be assured there is plenty of Paul's usual brilliance.

"Gloria" strains too hard to be a grand opening and goes exactly where you'd expect it to, ending up like Delirious on an average day. But "The One Thing" picks things up with its Jack Johnson acoustic groove and its outro that combines two first-rate refrains. With a chord sequence like "I'll Be With You", and running in fifth gear like "Big Blue Planet", "Holding Onto You" has a classically arching chorus and a kind of joyous desperation. Although they are similar, this works where "Gloria" doesn't. "I Owe It All", beginning with Neil Finn guitar, but with a not-so-Neil Finn simple message about God's faithfulness, is engaging and unfurls beautifully, whereas the "Always (Forever)", with a similarly simple message, seems forced. The folksy "My Brother Jack" ends the album on a stripped-down note, but while it has a point (about reaching out to non-Christians without prudery), it comes across as clumsy.

Of the more produced numbers, "Last Night in America" seemingly aims to comment on American foreign policy, but fudges any conclusion; with Paul deciding he's not qualified. Cannily, he also won't offend the American conservative Christians who make up part of his audience. Okay, yes, it is complicated, but maybe he shouldn't jump into this touchy area if he's only going to tiptoe out again. Dark matter also infuses "Sweet River", enhanced by the muffled radio chatter of American cops and the urban corroboree of Scott Darlow's didgeridoo and a tom tom attack. But then suddenly, with Paul's talent for a gripping chorus, the song changes like a light switching on.

Although "Last Night in America" and "Sweet River" seem the more obvious centrepieces, the deceptively simple "I'm Coming Home" is probably the album's heart. It is a gently revolving love song like "Into Your Arms", with an interesting verse structure and a chorus that you'll be happy to have stuck in your head for days. This is Paul with his pop-smartness to the fore.

Paul has indicated that in his solo career he wants to challenge himself and get out of the comfort zone (if he was ever in it—that might be more evidence of his zealous self-criticism). When all is sung and done though, "Let it Go" is not a great leap. But this is a good thing. Paul's strength is his songwriting, and there are good songs here (that don't need complex arrangements). The American move seems to have created some inconsistency, as well as the dark clouds of introspection that hang over some of this album. The wheels haven't fallen off exactly, but one wonders if America is really inspiring his best work. However, there is still enough here of Paul doing what Paul does best.

Check it out at www.paulcolman.com/intro.htm

Three out of Five