"Pavement" features 10 tracks of Paine's original lyrics and music. Throughout the disc, which was recorded last summer in his hometown of Anchorage, Alaska, he sings, plays acoustic and electric guitar and tickles the ivories. Joining Paine on two tracks are fellow Alaskans Erik Braund, Thayer Henderson, Andrew Merrel and Cody Barnhill on drums, bass and backup guitar respectively.

Though certain motifs, such as light, movement and peace continuously surface in Paine's lyrics throughout the album, the finely crafted instrumental accompaniments to the songs each seem to exist in a unique musical world. From the quietly romantic "Thinking of You" to the exhilarating rock tune "Free Spirit," "Pavement" makes for a compelling listening experience. It's obvious that Paine has taken great care to keep his listeners engaged with variety.

Although the disc is clearly focused on Paine's varied musical ideas, his original lyrics add depth and emotion to the songs. There is a revealing honesty to his words, which are often easy to relate to: "Ask yourself / What would you do / If you didn't have to worry how you'd come across to someone new?" The vocals are always energetic and occasionally daring.

Several highlights of the disc include "Free Spirit," in which Paine reunites with members of his old band, 7/10 Split, and "Pause for Peace," a tune originally written for the first edition of the annual St. Olaf concert for social change which Paine has organized twice.

A compelling debut album full of inventive musical variety, "Pavement" is full of music well worth listening to and thinking about.

"Where the Pavement Ends" is available for purchase at the St. Olaf Bookstore and online at www.lucaspaine.com. Paine's next public performance, which will feature selections from his new CD and other music, will take place at Goodbye Blue Monday on April 30 at 8 p.m., where local singer-songwriter Kristian Bjornard will also be performing.

Printer friendly version | Email this | Write the editors | More articles by Carl Schroeder