News & Reviews

The new cd from Paul Dougherty Grace Under Water

Reviews on Grace Under Water

Clicks & Pops Review

"Paul Dougherty wants you to think he's lost his faith.

His gorgeous Grace Under Water album is filled with songs about loss. There are opportunities missed, loves lost and lamented, morals tarnished, and faith tarnished. He sings about not wanting to let go, about wanting to believe (but not being able to), and about angels rising above while his own halo falls into the mud. The songs are unconcerned with boy-meets-girl, focusing instead on the bleak future of humanity.

But there's one catch -- Dougherty's voice drips with passion and optimism, even when his lyrics are tripping over themselves to paint a negative picture. He might want you to think things are grim, but Dougherty himself is overflowing with hope.

The album covers a bunch of different styles, ranging from almost-indie-pop to stark New Age to roots rock, but most of the songs fall under what used to be known as Americana or nu-country. Several songs here are directly addressed to his children (including the gorgeous opener Zoe and the gentle encouragement of First Steps -- which, come to think of it, might actually be aimed at listeners or even the singer himself). Other highlights include The Craving (which shows that teenage desire never really goes away, it just morphs into something more adult and harder to define), The Line (a song that sounds like it must have been written on a lonely late-night drive), and Rusted Jesus (a prayer to believe in something after rock 'n' roll has let you down).

Dougherty's voice is clear and sharp, but has just enough edge to remind you that this is a guy who's lived and suffered. He's come through the other side and wants to tell you the journey is hard, but ultimately worth the effort. (Because even if grace, look too many mortgages, is under water, things can always get better -- especially if we have great music to listen to.)

40 years ago, an album like this might have gotten a lot of radio play and Dougherty might have had a shot at singer-songwriter stardom (or at least the cult status of a Nick Drake). Dougherty likely would've been signed to a major label and (at the very least) played in clubs all over the U.S. to a passionate and growing fanbase.

But it's a different world, so Dougherty recorded and released the album himself (and if he's playing anywhere, it's likely to be in Germany).

Grace Under Water is a haunting and beautiful record that deserves your attention."
Clicks & Pops

Coke Machine Glow Review

"Zoe is the kind of track you settle on during a memorable weekend access visit, when the ex has fucked off to her boss’ new farmhouse while you get the daughter, the car and the sunshine. Thus you win.

It’s as warm as everything currently isn’t and shows a father having a man-to-man with his little girl, trying to broach the tough one of bereavement. “It’s such a vast road / And so much to hold on to / Everything comes and goes / Time flies / But not yet in your eyes,” sighs Dad, the sea air clearing the working week cobwebs that build when he’s working two jobs. That’ll be why he sounds snappy when you call! After staring at a lathe and then cleaning drug stores he’s bound to have his more snarly head on. He’s building bridges now, though, fine-tuning backing singers with xylophone pedals before signing off “Zoe my little girl / It’s a beautiful desperate world” with the most delicate of heavy metal kisses."