[rating=8.00]
Paul Cauthen is singing the gospel of the blue collar man. His deep toned voice goes down like a rich, dark stout, calling to mind a young Waylon Jennings. And on his new record, perfectly titled My Gospel, he doesn’t hold back. Right out the gate, the album’s first song “Still Drivin’” is a powerhouse of independence and strength that wouldn’t be out of place in both a place of worship or in the car of a big rig. His voice seems to come from a place so deep inside him, it can’t even be contained by his physical being. It just has to get out.
The songs on My Gospel are honest tunes about life and love, and Cauthen sings them with clarity and raw emotion. He honed his skills in the church as a kid, so it makes sense that his history with gospel music has evolved into work that feels much more personal to him. There’s an old school simplicity to some of Cauthen’s arrangements, with a strong focus on his lyrics and his delivery. And with a voice like Cauthen’s, that seems to be able to cut through anything, this is a solid approach.
“As Young As You’ll Ever Be” is a beautiful, polished gem of a song about staying present as you’re growing up. The instrumentals seem to build in phases, with more layers added in each verse, and it creates an anticipatory effect. You’ll be hanging on to every word, waiting for what comes next.
The steel guitar on “Marfa Lights” adds intrigue and atmosphere to an already dark, soulful song. And “Grand Central” is Cauthen’s existential journey set to music, moving and larger than life. It’s a swooning battle that showcases his true baritone. “Whatever I choose to do/I’ll be free…The things I don’t ain’t hurt no one/The only one that’s hurtin’ is me,” he sings, calling out to a higher power.
Cauthen closes out his record with the title track, and perhaps his very own anthem. “You should listen to the good news/This is my gospel/This is my truth,” he bellows. He sings about the flaws of being a human being, and though his voice hits heavenly heights, his messages are earthly and they sink in deep, leaving us all worshipping at the altar of Paul Cauthen.
