Paul Collins

Stand Back And Take A Good Look

Jem Records

His best known bands are the Nerves, who did the original version of “Hanging On The Telephone,” and The Beat, sometimes known as Paul Collins Beat. Both bands were great, but I kind of like this solo album a bit better, just because I like my power pop mixed in with other types of music -- impure, like it is here, with a lot of Americana and folk/rock mixed in.

It's adult, but not sedate; these songs do rock, and very well. It's also serious and sensible, but not pounding the universe. More level-headed and mature.

There’s the anti-nostalgia of “You Can’t Go Back,” written with, Steven Huff, bassist of The Beat, who also co-wrote with Paul “Another World,” about finding a better one. “Liverpool” is about a whirlwind trip there. There are also relationship songs, like the title track.

The balance between folk/rock, Americana, and power pop is very nicely done here -- light but not lightweight, and a fun listen all the way through -- from someone who’s been making music since the 1970s, and it shows in his knowledge of pop and rock in all the right ways. I suggest picking this up, sitting down with it, and soaking up the good, adult vibes.

Andrea Weiss