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Published on: 4/4/2006
Last Visited: 5/14/2007
PAUL ROLAND - `ENGLAND'S PSYCH-POP GURU'
Gothic-psych-baroque-rocker waxing demented in a way only an Englishman can ... impeccable."(Goldmine magazine, USA).
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"For some 15 years the enigmatic Paul Roland has carved out a niche in peculiarly ornate British pop music."(Record Collector, UK)
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"If pop music had existed in the 19th century Roland would have been a star."(Music Week, UK)
"England's popmeister and future King" (The BOB, USA)
Cult English recording artist Paul Roland, described as "the male Kate Bush" by one-time label mate Robyn Hitchcock, has released 10 albums for collectable labels such as Bam Caruso, New Rose and Imaginary in a low-key career that has seen him acclaimed on the continent but criminally ignored in his native England.
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Since 1979 Paul has been spinning his bizarre tales against an evocative backdrop of rock, psychpop, folk and, occasionally, baroque strings.His most memorable character creations include a crotchety Regency magistrate, various 19th century murderers, a retired executioner, an opium addict, and an entire court of medieval grotesques.But not all his dreams are dark.Among his more whimsical creations are the eccentric characters on the largely acoustic album 'Happy Families' and its prequel 'A Cabinet of Curiosities'.
His first album 'The Werewolf of London' (1980) which boasted a penchant for historical and supernatural themes was picked up by Armageddon Records, who at the time also had the Soft Boys on their roster.And it was there that Paul met Robyn Hitchcock who later appeared on tracks for Paul's second album.
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Its title track was the first to feature Paul backed by a small string and woodwind ensemble, a trademark of all his albums to date.The success of the album led to Paul's first tours in Europe and label deals in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the USA and Japan.A series of diverse albums followed, including the psych cult classic 'Danse Macabre' (1987), the acoustic based mini LPs 'A Cabinet Of Curiosities' (1987) and 'Happy Families' (1988), the rockier 'Duel' (1989) - with its medieval-tinged three-song suite 'The King Must Die'-, the folk rock of 'Masque'(1990), the more commercial 'Roaring Boys' (1991), 'Strychnine' (1992), a mini-album of cover versions and 'Sarabande' (1994).Gargoyles' (1996), his final offering, is a further glimpse into a unique and imaginative mind.
"Enigmatic gothic/baroque troubador with the psychedelic fringe Roland is a maestro of melancholy and madness. (‘Gargoyles) sounds almost like a best of Paul Roland collection; all the hallmarks are there, the ornate gothic/baroque songwriting and quintessentially English pop-psych dementia which have made him such a revered figure on mainland Europe.
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Paul RolandMind & Spirit Books