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A Cabinet of Curiosities/Happy Families

A Cabinet of Curiosities/Happy Families
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'One of the best albums you've never heard' Rolling Stone

Lewis Carroll would have loved it...

As an admirer of Lewis Carroll, I think this is the perfect soundtrack to the Victorian society and an amazing portrait of what could be hidden behind the most respectable mask (or should I say "Masque"?)
Paul Roland is a true storyteller and his voice, along with a perfect choice of instruments, guide us among the true essence of some of the most weird, odd and dangerous characters and places that Carroll disguised as Rabbits, animated cards and chess pieces, Queens and Kings, talking flowers...but with Roland they finally show their real features....HUMAN features, and that's the reason why they are even more catchy and scaring. The music is catchy too, very catchy, but often it turns into something dark, gothic, and the strings and keyboards that we considered friends began suddenly threatening. Nevertheless we CAN'T leave...we MUST go on because we want to see what's going to happen next, and what the bizarre, pathetic, lovely, disgusting (you be the judge) of each song is going to do.
The lyrics are poignant, funny, grotesque and the plot is unpredictable. The ending is always a surprise. Roland's melodies are beautiful : they would work even played with a simple acoustic guitar. The last track, STRANGER THAN STRANGE (that always reminded me of Alice's "Curiouser and Curiouser") is the perfect conclusion. Just like Alice, the character finds himself among plants, trees and flowers that come alive; and they are all but friendly. He finally manages to escape, but he's left with the sensation that everything is STRANGER THAN STRANGER. Those two albums on a single CD are a must! (Francesco Micozzi, Italy review on CD baby)

Edwardian Pop Masterpieces
Absolutely Unique! These are two perfect products of one of the most incredibly original storytellers of underground pop of all times! Particularly fascinating the narrative use of the strings and the ability in writing complex gothic or edwardian tales for a folk-pop structure. If they mention Barrett or Cope or Hitchcock to explain Paul's music, that's not completely true... Paul remains absolutely unique, and these two mini-lps are the definitive proof... Find were Smog and other dark-folk gurus have found some inspiration! (Davide Torino, Italy review from CDbaby)

Formerly managed by June Bolan, Paul has been spinning supernatural and historical-themed tales against a backdrop of gothic rock, psych-pop and baroque strings, earning him the sobriquet, ‘The Male Kate Bush' (attributed to former label mate Robyn Hitchcock)

Found tracks

Paul Roland - Madhouse
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Paul Roland - Wyndham Hill
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Paul Roland - Jumbee
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Paul Roland - Gary Gilmore's Eyes
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Paul Roland - Burn
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Paul Roland - Walter The Occultist
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Paul Roland - Stranger Than Strange
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Paul Roland - Demon In A Glass Case
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Paul Roland - The Curate of Cheltenham
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Paul Roland - Journey To The Pole
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Paul Roland - Nursery Crimes
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Paul Roland - Cousin Emilia
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Paul Roland - Builder of Follys
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Paul Roland - The Best Years of Our Lives
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Paul Roland - Aunty
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Paul Roland - Animal Crackers
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