WATSON,PATRICK - Close To Paradise (Sealed) (CD)

Patrick Watson is the major new talent who fronts the Montreal four-piece band of the same name. The album is a tour de force that spans experimental noise, cabaret guitar / piano pop, stripped down gospel, electronic creeks and loops, walls of noise and Beatles-like melodies. Album opener (and title track) Close to Paradise floats in like a lush, southern breeze led by slide guitar and Patrick's haunting voice. There are no weak moments on this stunning album. From the soaring gospel piano of Luscious Life to otherworldly morricone meets Tom Waits apocalyptic dustbowl of The Storm, the band are capable of shifting from heart breaking intimacy to widescreen experimentation in the blink of an eye. With a voice that occupies some elysian field between Jeff Buckley and Nina Simone, Patrick Watson is a rare talent. As charismatic and funny as he is musically blessed, Patrick is a truly enigmatic star in the making. Other album highlights include the unspeakably pretty The Great Escape, which sees just Patrick's and the piano stripped down to the bare bones of wide eyes yearning. Weight of the World comes across like a balkans funeral waltz through Gotham City - as played by a 36 piece chamber orchestra, whilst tracks such as Man Under the Sea and Giver are pure pop perfection.