Paul Manousos For Better Or Worse CD

Singer/songwriter Paul Manousos starts off running with a slow-building but very fine "Another Day in the Life" that is teeming with Kinks-like feel-good pop. But it's the softer, melancholic tracks on For Better or Worse where he truly shines, bringing to mind Mick Jagger circa "Waiting on a Friend" or "Beast of Burden" with the surprisingly strong, Southern-tinged ballad "Beautiful Girl." From there, Manousos returns with a safe pop tune that seems to flourish in the chorus in the vein of Marc Broussard. The only problem might be how thin he stretches himself with some over-the-top wails and falsetto work near the homestretch. As the record goes on, though, the musician opts for safer arrangements rather than edgier experiments. Thus, the midtempo groove of "This Love" is okay, but nothing worth writing home about. Another strong Bob Dylan-meets-Stones highlight has to be "Is It Ever Going to Change?" that returns to the style of "Beautiful Girl," to some extent. The second half of the album seems to falter somewhat, particularly with a rather ordinary roots pop format on "Broken" that sounds like John Mellencamp or Live's Ed Kowalczyk backed by a string section. And "It's Only Natural" is a hokey sort of hoedown that comes off as filler. One bright spot is the somber, drum brushing of "The Devil Within," that comes off quite well thanks to a jazzy little vibe. And don't forget the soulful hidden bonus track that features Manousos alone on piano. Despite a few dips, the singer tends to fulfill the "better" part of the album's title. ~ Jason MacNeil

Personnel: Paul Manousos (vocals, guitar, piano, organ, Mellotron); Johnny Sangster (guitar, bass guitar); Lori Goldston (cello); Jeff McGraph (trumpet); Steve Fisk (Mellotron).