Paul Brandt Risk [ Brandt - T Records/Universal] 2007
Produced by Steve Rosen & Paul Brandt (Executive Producer - Liz Brandt)
Review by Cheryl Breo
** All tracks written by Paul Brandt except tracks 1, 2, & 10 written by Paul Brandt and Steve Rosen and Hold On (Love Will Find You) written by Nicole Nordeman
“Risk”, the title of Paul Brandt’s new album, couldn’t be more appropriately named. This Alberta , Canada native left Nashville and Music Row behind seven years ago, moving back home to his Canadian roots. But, Brandt’s courage to leave Music Row and everything associated with it should give you a hint that he is an artist first…who wouldn’t compromise his values or creativity…a real Risk to take in the music industry.
“Didn’t Even See The Dust”, the album’s first single release and the first track, sets the pace for the rest of the CD theme of taking that leap of faith, following your dreams, the give and take of love; but never allowing yourself to become a “glass half empty”, but always being a “glass half full” person.
“Come On & Get Some” and “Country Girl” are a couple of rockin’, fun tracks about being “country” and being proud of it; with Paul showcasing his polished drawl in lyrics like “a wild rose, little tomboy, but she’s beautiful…she’s a “Country Girl”.
“Hold On (Love Will Find You)” and “Learning How To Let Go” are both spiritually moving, soulful songs. “Hold On” has painfully honest lyrics to listen to, about the unconditional power of God…Love…one in the same…who will find us, even when we are at the lowest point of our life…lift us up, help us hold on…and bring us out on the other side…”Love’s” side. “Learning How To Let Go”, softly sung by Brandt’s rich voice, blended with the keys of a piano…then exploding full throttle into a powerful hook chorus “learning how to let go…I was just a fool to think I had control…This love can’t really fly until I get the courage to cut the string…This die hard heart of mine always forgets you never have it all unless you let it go”. A song so beautiful, so powerful…a prayer reaching the highest throne in heaven.
“Worth Fighting For” and “Out Here On My Own” are two love songs, but at the opposite spectrums of love. “Worth Fighting For” is lyrically raw and honest about the struggle to keep love alive. Brandt’s voice is filled with heartfelt emotion as he belts out the powerful chorus “I don’t know the reason why we ever started fighting anymore…if we could lose the temper, find a way to be more tender…our love is just too strong to ignore and that’s worth fighting for…”A song every couple in a troubled relationship should listen closely to. “Out Here On My Own” gives us the other side of love…a beautiful love song, made smoldering by Paul’s throaty, gentler voice…about a musicians life on the road …on his own, without his family. “As I dream of you beside me; love and faith shall lead me through…every road I take reminds me I’m coming home to you.”
The real standout track is the song that shares the albums title, “Risk”. From it’s opening full orchestra, flowing into the simple sound of the guitar; this is absolutely the story, the stone this album is carved from. This Calgary born country singer puts his heart, his feelings, his fears…right out there for all of us to hear, to feel the sensation of making that leap, taking that risk…”I’d rather build my wings on the way down…I’d rather love like a fire that’s out of control…I’d rather live my whole life with a sense of abandon…I just can’t resist a chance to risk”. Simply a powerhouse of a song, with a message we all need to embrace.
Until I listened to “Risk”, I hadn’t heard Paul Brandt, the award winning voice of country music in Canada . But from the first track to the last; I was hooked. It’s very clear that “Risk” is an album filled with Brandt’s personal emotions and feelings about how we all have “issues” in the way we live in this world today…fears, hope, love, confusion, anxiety, knowing that what was “normal” before 9/11 will never be “normal” again; and he uses his heart, his soul, his voice, to eloquently put to music those issues we all are feeling inside. I certainly hope more American radio stations will pick up this banner and begin to air Paul Brandt’s legacy of music…what masterful pieces we are missing here.
**NOTE: The reviewer's (Cheryl Breo) home base is Park Ridge, Il, USA
