Rating: NNNN
The risk in writing a song with overly specific lyrics is that it won’t mean much to someone unfamiliar with the subject.
The title track on Woodpigeon’s For Paolo EP, written for lead singer/songwriter Mark Hamilton’s boyfriend, directly names its recipient and unravels itself with references to his unique speaking habits and pet names. But its lyrics also touch on a universal feeling: the comfort that comes from knowing and accepting all of a partner’s habits and idiosyncrasies.
Hamilton’s earnest sincerity gets exhausting over a typically overlong Woodpigeon album but works far better at EP length. The arrangements, subtle almost to a fault, surround his words with nuances, allowing touches of strings, plucked acoustic guitars, organ and occasional distorted grit to dance with his hushed, plaintive vocals. A nice taste of what promises to be a busy year for the Calgary band.
Top track: For Paolo
