Paul Wilkes – ‘They’ve Got Nothing On You’ (Slender) Released 09/10/06

This is a very traditional and organic sounding four track EP from Liverpudlian singer/songwriter Paul Wilkes, accompanied by members of band Ella Guru, here appearing as The Drunken Boat. Wilkes only connection to contemporary pop is his employment of that particular, distinctively scouse rasping vocal style as found with Ian McCulloch, The Coral’s James Skelly and others. With perhaps a touch of Richard Ashcroft as well. Thus he sings “Your feeeace (face) it cracks” on the song of the same name and “but I found it alweeeys (always) was” on ‘In the End.’ A talented songwriter, all the tracks are hazy, evening time kind of number - gentle and introspective. ‘Your Face..’ offers pedal steel backed blues, the other harmonica assisted folk – ‘They've Got Nothing On You; and ‘Your Words Fill The air’ being very pretty and pleasant indeed.