Paul Haig – Go Out Tonight

• 2nd May 2008

‘Go out tonight’ is the 10th solo album by Paul Haig of 80’s ex-art punks Josef K. ‘GOT’ is a product of Paul’s creative streak that blossomed at the back end of 2007.

Having flicked through the titles of the 10 tracks on ‘GOT’ it depicts itself as a concept album built on the risk taking / arm chancing of a night on the tiles and the variety of twists and turns the night can unfold.

‘Trouble maker’ aptly kicks off the album and with it’s gritty baseline doesn’t paint a picture of hedonism, ‘and if it’s alright,I turn up the pressure and dislocate a finger or two’, ‘your gonna go down, your going up town’ certainly appears like a trip to A & E is on the cards. Seems Haig is merely portraying his take on Britain’s ‘entertainment culture’ of today.
Musically Haig uses a variety of styles from the post-baggy swagger of ‘stay mine’ to the electronic big beat sound of ‘shut down’ . He certainly doesn’t rest on his laurels and is a million miles away from settling for the safe acoustic guitar of some male solo artists (take note: Gray and Blunt!!!)

‘Believe’ has a trippy haze that melds ‘set adrift on memory bliss’ and ‘sweet harmony’. One thing that is clear is that Haig is not afraid to go out on a limb for his art. ‘Hippy Dippy’ sees Haig switch between a Stereo MC and Vincent Price (a la Thriller) vocal whilst taking a blend of Gang of four and smashing it’s head into a pit of Happy Mondays haze.

‘Fantasize’ and ‘Data retro’ use minimum scruffy trance vocals and certainly wouldn’t be short of appearing on a FSOL or Transglobal Underground album.

Penultimate track ‘scene’ is the comedown feel and realisation of a drug hit gone astray. ‘the hit was strong, but now it’s gone’. It smacks of misery lyrically and has a disturbing hangover as the maudlin refrain batters you into a sea of anguish and desolation.

Final song ‘gone in a moment’ couldn’t be any further from ‘scene’ with it’s uplifting guitar / bass / drums delivery. It’s seems to tell the story that none of what happens on a night-out actually exists but is merely a figment of your imagination. A case of shoving it all under the carpet – probably until the next time you decide to paint the town red.

Generally this is a good album – it’s hard-hitting lyrically but the different musical styles prevents the listener from sinking into a sea of depression and down-right misery. Ok, drinking in Britain can be alarming but Haig keeps everything in check whilst explaining that everything is very black and white.
Night out with Haig – you could be chancing your arm. The boy has got this one spot on!!