Nothing But A Dream

With his droll wit, tuneful lilt, and penchant for exploring emotionally prickly terrain, Australia's Paul Kelly has drawn comparisons with artists as diverse as Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, the Kinks' Ray Davies, and even Bruce Springsteen. Yet the musical range he displays here confirms Kelly's uniqueness. Within this song cycle of maturity, reflection, and regret, he proceeds from the troubadour's melancholy of "If I Could Start Today Again" through the U2-ish atmospherics of "Midnight Rain," the techno psychodrama of "Just About to Break," and the Beatle-like harmonies of "Love Is the Law." The organ-laced "I Close My Eyes and Think of You" most closely recalls his work with the Messengers, the late-'80s band that won him stateside raves. On the lighter side, the four bonus tracks from last year's Roll on Summer EP, highlighted by the torchy playfulness of "I Was Hoping You'd Say That" and the irresistibly caustic "Every F***ing City," provide further evidence of Kelly's musical reach. --Don McLeese