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Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. 10/10 |
| 2. Coming Up Easy |
| 3. Growing Up Beside You |
| 4. Candy |
| 5. Tricks Of The Trade |
| 6. Pencil Full Of Lead |
| 7. No Other Way |
| 8. High Hopes |
| 9. Chamber Music |
| 10. Simple Things |
| 11. Worried Man |
| 12. Keep Rolling |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Fans of Paolo Nutini’s debut album, These Streets might raise an eyebrow or two at this sophomore release. Produced by Ethan Johns (Kings Of Leon), Sunny Side Up features an eclectic and "rougher" range of songs that set it somewhat apart from its slick predecessor. Recorded in Ireland, Wales, New York, LA and the UK, Nutini--backed by his band The Vipers--tackles folk, reggae, soul and rock, with varying results. The Motown-esque "Coming Up Easy", the ballad "Worried Man" and the sea-shanty "Growing Up Beside You" are shining examples of Nutini's erudite songwriting skills, as is the charming, Dylan-esque "Tricks Of The Trade". But songs like "Pencil Full Of Lead" and "No Other Way", as well as his forays into reggae-lite and ersatz ragtime are less convincing, often sounding more like sketches than full songs. Whether Sunny Side Up is bravely eclectic or an incoherent disaster depends ultimately on the loyalty--and the patience--of the listener. --Danny McKenna
Review
After his million selling 2006 debut, Paisley boy Paolo Nutini is back with the follow up - and it's a classic case of the protégé rebelling against the path laid out for him. Where These Streets was slick, polished and poppy, Sunny Side Up is the exact opposite.
It's difficult to know what to make this confused, folky melee - a lot of which sounds not unlike the sort of souvenir your Dad might bring back from a week in the Outer Hebrides. If you can get past his heavily accented lyrics - and sometimes they're almost unintelligible - then the music is equally rambling.
This is a self-penned, self-produced flight of indulgent fancy, more old fashioned than old school. It's all the more surprising given that he had help from Kings Of Leon supremo Ethan Johns - but then maybe these days Paolo's harder to mould. Let's face it; he has now played Live Earth, supported Led Zepplin and duetted with Mick Jagger. How do you argue with that?
Nutini's aim was an organic, timeless sound - the result is described by even his own management as 'almost unfashionably eclectic'. And maybe there lies the problem - this album sounds 40 years older than it should do coming from a guy still in his early 20s.
If he's aiming to crack the US he's certainly heading in the right musical direction, with first single Candy sounding spookily like a Scottish Bruce Springsteen. Laidback soulful ballad Coming Up Easy is about his struggles with marijuana, but just sounds like it was written on the stuff.
The confusion continues with ska-driven 10/10, Pencil of Lead where he sounds like a sped-up Louis Armstrong and the messy High Hopes - melody and lyrics are great, but overshadowed by an ill-thought-out penny whistle which belongs on the soundtrack to The Lion King.
There are some gems - like Worried Man, a beautifully dark ditty about a man 'who feels like he's getting old before his time'. Irony alert! Paolo, slow down - it doesn't look like you'll be forced to return to the family fish and chip business any time soon, but that doesn't mean you have to age six decades between albums. --Sophie Bruce
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
175 of 179 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Feel-good doesn't come close to describing this album,
By Mark Megson "MM" (Devon) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Sunny Side Up (Audio CD)
Buying this album on the strength of the single "Candy" alone I wasn't sure what to expect. I was familiar with and liked Paolo's previous singles but was worried "Candy" would be the only standout song. What greeted my ears when I pressed play was glorious. The first tracks instantly reminded me of 60's motown songs like "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" in terms of the songwriting, instrumentation and quality of the recording. It didn't stop there and the album continued to delight with songs like "Pencil Full of Lead" and "High Hopes". I read one of the one star reviews which criticised "Pencil Full of Lead" for sounding like something from the Jungle Book. I completely agree, but that's exactly the reason why I love the song, and for the record I think the Bear Necessities is a great song, Phil Harris (voice of baloo) = Legend. If the world was a happier place this would be classic album, but since most people seem to only rate music which is bleak and full of woes about the world I fear this won't get the recognition it deserves. If this album doesn't put a smile on your face then you are not human and I urge you to get off of our planet.
133 of 138 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This Years Unexpected Gem,
By
This review is from: Sunny Side Up (Audio CD)
Firstly, I don't have Paolo's first album and bought this based on the interesting crits in the press, Ethan John's involvement and instantly liking Candy when I heard it on the radio.
It's the best album I've bought this year by a country mile. Lyrically and musically it is at worst interesting but at best mesmerising. His vocals range from almost unintelligable to falsetto but what a voice!! I find it difficult to comprehend that he is only in his early 20's and the purveyor of previously safe/inoffensive songs such as Jenny Don't Be Hasty. This album swaggers, lilts, flirts and beguiles. On many songs he gambles on the arrangements. You'll laugh at the audacity of it but he succeeds in every instance. Most of all though the album exudes supreme confidence in his ability and this is in no way misplaced. Buy it.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Makes me happy,
By
This review is from: Sunny Side Up (Audio CD)
I loved Paolo Nutini's last album so was looking forward to this although I suppose a bit worried as some artists just do more of the same and it gets boring. Not this! It is the most diverse and unusual mix of music I've heard from one S/SW. Every song makes me smile and the instant I put it on, my mood lifts. It is my favourite album ever. What a talent! And just 22 years of age!
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