Flying High Lucinda
Rare Solo Turn by one of US power-pop’s prime movers.
With his late-’70s LA troupes The Nerves and The Beat, Paul Collins essentially invented the genre of punk-infused power-pop. The Beat’s eponymous 1979 Columbia debut, with its skittering guitar-and-adrenaline stompers like “Rock and Roll Girl” and “Walking Out On Love,” arguably remains the style’s apex, and established an archetype that lesser bands like The Romantics and The Knack parlayed into mass successes. The modest Flying High, Collins’ first solo turn in 12 years, proves his gift for a hook is still intact, even if the rhythms are gentler, the songs more reflective. “Afton Place,” a catchy-as-hell highlight, looks back on the early years with empathy and passion.
– Luke Torn
Paul Collins will always be remembered for delivering unto the world the most perfect pop-punk song, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Girl.” Unfortunately, for the most part, it was a pretty cloth-eared world that never paid enough attention and certainly didn’t buy enough records. The few,mostly located in mainland Europe, who did recognise his talent have been lucky enough to play host to Mr Collins on and off for the past couple of decades. During this period he has quite schizophrenically split his time between being a country troubadour and a power pop rocker. He succeeds at both having a powerful voice matched by a passionate delivery. His latest album, Flying High, focuses far more on his rock/pop side. With songs like “Rock 'n' Roll Shoes,” “Helen,” “Afton Place” and “All Over Town” harking back to his late-’70s heyday. His time in Spain is felt strongly on “Paco & Juan” with its Spanish-influenced guitar (and subject matter), and his Americana stylings are to the fore on the moody “FDR” and the musically simple but emotionally powerful title track. But it’s his conversational story telling, most in evidence on the sad tale of “Bobby,” that holds the show together, and makes this an album to be proud of.
– Terry Hermon
Paul Collins’ Beat produced some great power-pop/punk records over 25 years ago. It’s heartening to discover that Paul decided to carry on in 1989, and has been recording and gigging in Spain virtually ever since. Collins always had a knack for power pop melodies and hooks, and it hasn’t deserted him. The punkier stylings of the earlier recordings have been replaced by a lighter, more acoustic approach. The songs are well supported by a Spanish band and Paul’s son (?) On backing vocals. Octavio Vinck deserves special mention for tasteful, economic lead guitar parts and backing vocals. The websites are short of information, but I presume that Paul now lives in Spain, where pure pop gets a warm welcome. Whilst the twelve songs here are not instant classics, they all have nifty hooks and catchy choruses. Let’s hope Paul keeps writing and playing stuff like this for another 25 years.