Bloggerhythms

One cannot write about Paul Thorn without including a brief biography because of the rich and varied life the man has led. Before turning to music full-time, Thorn was a professional boxer who fought Roberto Duran on television. He made chairs for a living. He was a skydiver. His vibrant, offbeat paintings grace his own CD covers. Currently, he is a blues-influenced, rock 'n' rolling, singer-songwriter with a view of the world that is both spiritual and cerebral. Thorn's father is a Church of God minister and his religious upbringing is apparent on all twelve tracks. Yet most of the songs on his very literate third CD, Mission Temple Fireworks Stand , are not necessarily about a specific religion. Thorn's goal is not to convert his listeners but to make them think. His songs are character studies, most set to a loud, pungent, blues-tinged rock beat. On "Even Heroes Die," Thorn sings about the warped celebrity status and cult following of Elvis Presle...

Paul Thorn’s music was so passionate. Hammer and Nail , his debut, and Mission Temple Fireworks Stand are terrific CDs that combine roots rock, blues, sad balladry, great hooks, and intelligent songwriting. Unfortunately, Thorn’s latest, Are You With Me , disappoints me because I wanted to love it so much. Are You With Me doesn't live up to any of its predecessors because Thorn has gotten away from making the music he does best. While I love artists who break the mold in an attempt to stay fresh Thorn's latest falls flat because Are You With Me is more blue-eyed soul than blues and there is little or no rock 'n roll. Most of the disc's songs are about relationships, a typical R&B topic, in lieu of his usual philosophical, and sometimes humorous, subject matter he liberally spices with religious imagery. It’s not that Are You With Me is a bad album, because it isn’t. It’s just not nearly as interesting or dynamic than all of Thorn’s previous CDs. Everyt...