Paul Dempsey - Everything is True (Album)

Okay, so Paul Dempsey isn’t re-inventing the wheel with Everything is True (well, why re-invent something that already been invented rather well? What would you do with a wheel anyway? Make it oblong? Anyway.), but, being a devout Something for Kate fan, plus enormously respectful of Paul’s solo output, I can happily offer plenty of awe and praise for this effort.

Opener Bats includes such beautifully delivered lines as; “Those average angels, drunken saints with heavy heads” and “Nobody’s ever gonna break your heart again”, Paul’s inimitable voice stirring something within me that many fail even to prod. There is just something about his distinctive vocal stylings...a beautiful sadness that many interpret, perhaps, as moroseness, but which I find endlessly aurally striking.

Fast Friends is a live favourite for me, mainly because I first heard it at a media release gig Paul played, making the line; “Do you like me? Can I go now?” a lil’ bit cheekier. Single Out the Airlock has guitar reminiscent of Josh Pyke’s Our House Breathing and is quaintly gorgeous.

The album gets a bit thin in the middle until Take Me to Your Leader, with its lazy guitar and harmonica opening; the line, “One thing is for sure, we’re gonna get what we deserve...” stinging the heart like a tiny lightning bolt.

Paul Dempsey, I think, is an acquired taste; be it the acoustic guitar-based balladry of his solo endeavours, or his rockier- but still undeniably beautiful- Something for Kate output, his music is not for those interested in slotting it in between Walking on Sunshine and Wake Up, It’s A Beautiful Morning on some summer’s day’s mixtape. The lesser tracks on the album for me- though I would only count them at three or four out of eleven- can be difficult to maintain interest in, perhaps downright boring, but I cannot imagine ever not being moved by Dempsey’s words and powerful emotive melodies.

Paul stands with few other artists- because, though I do like a wide, wide breadth of music, I do not give out medals of musical honour willy-nilly – as one of Australia’s most prolific and breathtaking lyricists. Some of his words have caused me to audibly gasp, or squeeze my eyes together to stifle a tear, or laugh, or all three.

Dempsey fans will like this record. Something for Kate fans (especially those who enjoyed Echolalia) will like this record. Anyone who likes honest, stunning musicianship will probably like it too.

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