Album of the week: Paul Haig

Published on Friday 11 April 2008 16:59

PAUL HAIG

Go Out Tonight

****

Rhythm of Life Inc ROL019, 9.99

This is Paul Haig's 10th solo album, marked tonight by his first live appearance in almost two decades, and after last year's Electronik Audience record it is safe to say his rehabilitation is now complete.

Crises of confidence have plagued a career that occasionally smouldered without ever catching fire, but Go Out Tonight flickers and crackles with an inextinguishable spirit.

From the rocking bass-driven thrust of 'Trouble Maker' to the pulsating Kraut beats of 'Data Retro', this is a controlled and measured piece of work.

Despite his own alternative croon being so readily recognisable, Haig affects an Estuary English drawl reminiscent of Graham Coxon on 'Stay Mine', and slips into spacey sci-fi vocoder mode on 'Shut Down'.

Best is the largely instrumental 'Fantasize', a woozily atmospheric piece with faint Balkan undertones all buoyed by deftly programmed electronic strings and keyboards.

Haig has more than one album of such material in his back catalogue, but has never bettered this arrangement. It merges with the chilly brooding throb of 'Acidic Snowdrop', mildly sensual in the style of Prince fronting Chic. The rich guitar textures of 'Scene' set the tone for the record's most personal moment, before snapping into the upbeat conclusion of 'Gone In A Moment'.

Not perfect, but very possibly perfectly flawed.

Download this: Fantasize, Trouble Maker