Common Thread

AMG Review of Common Thread

Jo-Ann Greene
All Music Guide

The first thing that immediately grabs listeners attention is Paul Manousos' voice, for he can belt out a song like nobody's business. The second is his chameleon-like style, for although the singer/songwriter has invariably been tagged either folk or Americana, those labels tell only half the tale. In fact, Manousos is best described as the bastard child of Suede and early Thin Lizzy, but reared among the rolling fields of the American heartland. "Rhumba #23 (Yzarc)," with its catchy "crazy" "Metal Mickey"-ish chorus, is a case in point, and deftly steps straight out of folk and into progressive rock before lashing out Who-esque power chords. "Spell I'm Under" is an equally good example of Manousos' talent for side-swapping genres, a mesmerizing mix of Brit-pop and a purer '60s sound. Contrast that, though, with the singer's respectful cover of Merle Haggard's "Silver Wings," the dreamy folk-pop of the romantic triumph "Who'll Kiss the Girl?," and the bluesy infusion of "Slow Poison." The cruising "Stay Awake" and the heavy hitting "Real World" bubble right out of folk and into ock, the latter a scathing look at the current administration. That's the only politically themed song on the set, with the rest mostly revolving around relationships. "Hold On," however, is a story song in the Bruce Springsteen mold, and just as enthralling. So Common Thread is far from your run of the mill folk tapestry. Manousos is astounding, with his superb piano and guitar skills evident throughout the set, abetted by a trio of equally talented musicians, and a guesting Carrie Akre adding vocal support to three of the tracks. Steve Fisk outdoes himself with surprisingly sympathetic production that brings out the best in the singer and his music.