Paul Cauthen – The Book Of Paul

After going solo in 2013 Cauthen’s barreled his way through four earlier releases that nestle in the Outlaw slot, lyrically varied but often a little out there with a lot of braggadocio and the sensitivity of a bulldozer. His personal buzz seems to come from playing live and with his gravelly after burner pipes it’s easy to imagine an audience that also loves the energy, sound and vibe of Nathanial Rateliff or Shiny Ribs flocking to pay homage. As Cauthen says his mojo is driven by ‘taking it to the people’. He also adds it’s about being yourself, which might explain the title of his latest release. With many of the songs here, of which he co-wrote 12, it’s easy to see him as the protagonist.

The biographical title track, The Book of Paul, may say it all as regards Cauthen’s journey to this release – “I’ve cussed, I’ve drank, I’ve kicked the lights out / I’ve toked, I’ve coked, I blew the house down” and the sturdy stomping single, Texas Swagger,draws on that feral Lonestar State confidence as he relays what the pending night has planned with his reverberating deep tones over a girly chorus repeating “yee haw”. If Cauthen isn’t prowling then he can be reflective and the duet with Delaney Ramsdell, Chain Smoking, is a lovely tune dwelling on how they cope with a broken heart. Songs such as this highlight what a pleasing voice Cauthen has. It can roar like thunder, sentimentally croon or hold a pop tune with its mellifluous tones and deliver a hook of a chorus. There’s a heap of melodies here that render this album an important release because away from his historical ‘shock and awe’ approach (“Country as Fuck” anyone?) this release drips with earworms such as Bayou By You, Cigarettes & Billy Graham and Tossin’ Back Time (with Jake Worthington.) Throughout there’s a clear impression that you’re in the presence of an independent minded uncompromising bad ass.

This album is a tonic and begs to be played loud. Apart from the important question of when is he coming to the UK the other is whether Nashville is prepared to elevate this release for some award when the annual awards roll around? It should.