Paul Stride’s The Balladeer is an album that will take you back in time about twenty-five years, when power ballads dominated the charts, but Paul isn’t trying to be the next Johnny Hates Jazz or Cutting Crew, though at times you may think you are listening to either of those groups. The Balladeer gives a modern touch to a familiar sound, while still making you think of another time.
The album is aptly titled as all nine tracks are ballads, their melodies gentle and soothing. This album comes twenty years since Paul’s last recording and a few of the songs came from that time period. Maybe that’s why there’s a little bit of an 80s vibe to some of the songs. Not that is a bad thing. Songs like All of You and Take My Heart are ballads that songwriters like Richard Marx or Nick Van Eede would be proud to have in their own repertoires.
One song in particular stands out among the rest and that’s Open My Eyes. The album features a long and short version and whichever version you choose to listen to you will soon find yourself getting a little closer to Paul. Open My Eyes recounts his struggle with depression, something most of us will experience or someone we know has. This song sums up what so many people go through with the words “What is so hard to find. Questions in my mind or answers redefined. Confusion every, a incongruent stare and stigma doesn’t care.” The song has a haunting quality to it that suit’s the subject matter to a tee.
Come Back To Me takes its inspiration from a kidnapping and the reaction of the parents. Though the song isn’t about the case, it is a bittersweet tune of someone longing for a person snatched from their lives for one reason or another.
Looking For A Reason is a song about a love affair that’s hit a rough patch. It also serves as a reminder that if you love someone, even when things aren’t all sunshine and roses there is some reason that you love that person and that reason could be a reason to work through whatever problem is breaking the couple apart.
It’s not all deep thoughtful balladry though. Summer will make you long for the season the song is written for, with beaches and boardwalks and lazy days. She’s Not In Love With Me is a fun song about staying strong in the face of unrequited love.
The songs one The Balladeer can be summed up in one word, “pretty.” Sure it’s a word that is used to describe a lot of things, but once you give the album a listen you will quickly agree. These are pretty songs. Even when the songs are about deeper subjects, they are still, PRETTY! Oh and they aren’t sticky sweet, like a lot of things on adult contemporary radio. This album is very easy listening, and that’s not using easy listening as a genre, it’s one of the most listenable albums that will speak to music lovers of all ages.
Here’s hoping that Paul’s next effort will come faster. It would be a shame to have to wait another twenty years for an album especially when his singing and songwriting is so good. It really would be criminal to make us wait any longer than a year or two! The Balladeer will definitely leave you wanting to hear more!
Reviewed by Andrea Guy
