Christopher Paul Stelling
Album: False Cities
Label: Dollarstone
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.christopherpaulstelling.com

How to describe Christopher Paul Stelling ? Now there's a question. If you had to answer it in a single sentence rather than an essay than the response would be along the lines of, imagine an American Rory Gallagher, that troubadour spirit, but combined with more of a gothic, darker folk styling. Naturally you would need a essay to really start getting into the detail of the man.

"False Cities" is Stelling's second cut, following hot on the heels of last year's "Songs Of Praise And Scorn". Most of the time between the two albums have pretty much been spent on the road observing life as it came past and no doubt with a few late sessions with other musicians and creative types in claustrophobic rooms jamming new ideas.

There seems to be two aspects to "False Cities" Stelling's observations on the world and how they make him feel. Sometimes as separate entities and sometimes brought together. Sometimes this leads him to raging like a Southern preacher singing with a zeal of righteous fire burning in his veins and at other times you sense a man that's questioning his relationship with his self, battling contradictions.

Whilst there are occasional guest appearances, mostly "False Cities", is just Stelling and a trickling, rambling guitar that gives him a tool to vent his emotion through as much as he can with his voice. That venting isn't always rage driven, "Homesick Tributaries" examines the impact of family, how they shape you and how you shape them and if a need to journey is just a long way of finding your way home.

"False Cities" is a fascinating album. Christopher Paul Stelling one of those songwriters that allows you to peek into his psyche, knowing that you won't always like what you find…

Neil King