Queuing up behind an ever growing number of singer
songwriters, desperate to bare their tortured soul to the world, is 19 year old
Paolo Nutini. The Scot signed his record deal shortly after his eighteenth
birthday and now releases his debut album, These Streets.
Paolo's soulful croonings should ensure he attracts both the
Myspace savvy adolescents and the mums whose radio station of choice has Terry
Wogan on at breakfast time. Although quite what they think of racier lines like
‘when I kissed you in the hallway and then I took you straight to bed' (Rewind)
or his command to ‘let's get down and freaky‘ on Loving You a song that you can
imagine Marvin Gaye or Al Green singing at the peak of their best.
But there's so much more on offer. Jenny Don't Be Hasty sounds straight out of
the sleaziest Bar with its minimal but gritty riffs, and New Shoes is bluesy
fun. On the other side, you've got the more reflective moments on These Streets
(‘I'll get to this eventually'), where he laments changes, and Autumn which is
written in memory of his late grandfather.
Yes the James Blunt (a label mate) and whoever comparisons
will be inevitable. But in this album he has a collection of songs that show
promise.
Rating: 3/5
Release date: 17th July 2006
Label: Atlantic Records
Info: www.paolonutini.com
Words by: Helen Duong
