Customer Reviews

Sunny Side Up

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'll say it right up front: I think this is a great record. A great record that got a bum rap. It's not that the critics didn't (at least more or less) grasp what this is about, but few cared enough to focus on how fabulous the music on this CD is and instead pointed out how it was commercial suicide, how his reach was far beyond his grasp, and how inconsistent it is.

Yet what's most striking about this album is how unconditionally, unashamedly musical it is. It sounds like music made by someone who wants to share the sheer joy of his songs with the world. The reviewer at musicOHM gets it somewhat right when he says, "Sunny Side Up is bonkers in a good old-fashioned English sense and Nutini's devil may care attitude should be applauded by all right-minded lovers of artistic sidesteps."

So I'll do some applauding.

The comparisons are many: Otis Redding. John Martyn. Maybe a spot of Johnny Cash. Cat Stevens. Van Morrison. For me, the reference that comes to mind most often is Bryan Ferry. It's not just Nutini's warble, his overtly melodic, full-throated soul croon that reminds me of Ferry. It's his songs: songs that don't particularly care whether they're of their own time. I'm reminded of how, on The Bride Stripped Bare, Ferry made all manner of genres his own and somehow managed to produce a coherent classic that didn't relate at all to the prevalent records of the time. All slick suits and glam, most of Roxy Music's 1970s output is, of course, directly opposed to the trends of the day. Throughout all that opposition, though, it shines by virtue of its sheer musicality, its musical daring. Its warm embrace of both classic 60s soul and European cabaret comfortably meets somewhere in a very likable middle.

"Everybody's got opinions, girl. Their own version of a good idea." Things start off with an old-fashioned ska tune sung in an Otis Redding rasp. 'Ten Out Of Ten' is a classic dating story: Paolo takes his girl out on the town to cheer her up because she's feeling down. It's a dance tune, this. Not one anyone under 35 would consider dancing to (I think), but a dance tune nonetheless. And a perfect, perfect little gem of blue-eyed ska. Beautifully played and recorded, too.

'Coming Up Easy' continues the classic soul theme. Not particularly deep lyrically, but Nutini is skilled at mimicry and hits the tone of classic r&b quite accurately. The finale, "It was in love I was created and in love is how I hope I die," repeated over and over, reminds me of Van Morrison's ecstatic blues shouter workouts on-stage circa It's Too Late To Stop Now.

'Growing Up Beside You' is a pretty melody and offers a soft, folkish, slow-roller with mostly forgettable lyrics; something about a crush on a girl in school.

No matter, because we swiftly move on to the album's pièce de résistance: 'Candy.' What an extraordinary song! They're rare, songs like this. This is note-perfect middle of the road radio rock with a laid-back, country feel. Perhaps a good description would be Bryan Ferry singing over a typical early Dire Straits arrangement. It's quite unclear what Candy is about: a love story, perhaps, a plea to stay together after all. No matter that it's unclear because all good poetry merely approximates precision and instead offers words that confuse, intrigue and delight at the same time. And 'Candy' offers the best opening lines I've heard in a song in years: "I was perched outside in the pouring rain, trying to make myself a sail. Then I'll float to you, my darlin', with the evening on my tail. Although not the most honest means of travel, it gets me there nonetheless. I'm a heartless man at worst, babe, and a helpless one at best."

'Tricks of the Trade' is lovely in that folky way: "You took me from my bubble, knowing my defense was weak. And you sat there and you listened, anytime I chose to speak." A core truth wrapped into a few insightful words. Lovely and smart. On to what's perhaps the strangest track here: 'Pencil Full Of Lead.' It's a classic swing/rockabilly number with breakneck lyrics sung in a thick Scottish drawl. It's wacky and it's not everyone's kettle of fish. But it's good in a way that'll make you look back on this record fondly in 20 years as a lost classic, and you'll wonder why people didn't love it the first time around.

'No Other Way' is more classic Bryan Ferry/Van Morrison (somewhere in the middle, actually) heartfelt blue-eyed soul, beautifully played but quite a lot over-emoted. Did I mention Nutini has a 'warbly' voice? Well, when he pushes it too much, it has a few kinks that aren't entirely pleasant. He doesn't quite have the young Van Morrison's uncannily perfect pitch.

'High Hopes,' 'Chamber Music' and 'Worried Man' combine folk and various 1960s/1970s sounds (like Johnny Cash's story songs) and offer perfect Nutini versions of these kinds of song. They're always more than just exercises in writing music that's just like something else that we already know; what's clear from each tune is how deeply Nutini actually feels this music, how fervently he wants to render his own take on each archetype. The results range from pastoral hippie tunes to Waterboys' style pseudo-Celtic material. (Nutini, while from Scotland, can certainly not be accused of making traditional music.) Finally, 'Keep Rolling' is a sad maritime swansong, a lover's goodbye that spends almost half of its two and a half minutes in an unidentifiable, electronic, ambient warble and sees the album out quietly.

My prediction is that Sunny Side Up will grow to become one of those records that we look back on for its immense musicality and daring. And for its commitment to Paolo Nutini's own vision, expectations be damned. Graeme Thomson, in the Observer, said that, "One day, when his undeniable talent has settled and set, the results could be wondrous." I beg to differ: they already are. But we, as listeners, need to remember what we loved about our eclectic favourites from the past to fully appreciate it.

The first album was fabulous and the second with a more soulful and even reggae undertone sounds amazing!!! He is such a feel good singer. I am just waiting for US tour dates. They cannot come soon enough. Playing this album just like his last will follow me through the rest of the summer NO DOUBT!
Love me some tini :)

With his sophomore outing, the half Italian/Scot lad from Paisley Paolo Nutini proves that he didn't want the success of his 2006 debut album "These Streets" to force him towards blander, glossier production values.
Three years ago he seemed like just another bland singer-songwriter from UK, following the footprints of the James Morrisons and James Blunts, but he was't terribly thrilled about this.
With Ethan Johns as co-producer (whose past credits have included Ryan Adams and Kings of Leon) and more creative freedom, he roughs it up and instead fancies rebranding himself as a mongrel hybrid of Otis Redding and Bob Marley.
It's a doomed quest, inevitably, though you can't help but admire the undediable talent, sincere intent and the lop-sided ambition.
There's no polish or politesse here.
Instead, Paolo plays the raggedly soulful Paisley boy: mixing up bygone styles is very much his thing.
So "Sunny Side Up" parps into life with "10/10", which is kind of...Caledonian reggae.
The folk tinged "Chamber Music" sounds like a very ropy demo before yielding to a delightful whistle and accordion theme.
The flute and ukelele bounce of "High Hopes" is the quirky standout.
"Coming Up Easy" and "No Other Way" have a whiff of early Atlantic soul/Stax groove, "Tricks Of The Trade" could be a sliver of early Bob Dylan, "Simple Things" a stab at Johnny Cash country.
The ragtime roll of Pencil Full Of Lead" has the flavour of a mix of 50's skiffle, traditional jazz and blues.
"Candy" has the ghost of some half-forgotten AOR classic in its bones. Some people mihgt hear on it a young Scottish Bruce Springsteen.
Some of the tracks seem embryonic, lacking direction and resolution, but he unites the whole with his ragged old man croak, sounding increasingly like one of pop's finest voices."That voice is as distinctive as anything to emerge from Scotland since Rod Stewart".- Paul Taylor
This a varied follow-up with something for everyone: this broadening of musical horizons will certainly expand his fanbase. Vocally it's a revelation, with the rapidly maturing, confident singer, now evoking at times Louis Prima, the originator of Italian-American R&B, and Van Morrison.
"An old soul in handsome young guise, Nutini has the music in him. His joyous second album organically blends soul, country, folk and the brash, horny energy of ragtime swing.
The result is an eccentric blast, like some obscure lost classic from the Seventies, channelling Harry Nilsson, Alex Harvey, Otis Redding and Cab Calloway".- Neil McCormick
My favourite tracks: "10/10", "Candy", "Coming Up Easy", "High Hopes", "Growing Up Beside You".
These Streets
Jump, Jive an' Wail: The Essential

The same thing that some of the reviewers don't like about this album is what I love about it: it's not like his first one. This go-round he's stretching his wings and trying different genres. Ska, pop, jazz, blues, country/western -- it's eclectic and fascinating. Approach the songs with no preconceived notions and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

This is how good think this album is: As I listened to it, I realized with a start that I'm probably too old to watch the career of this young talent unfold in full. I've never thought anything like that, for any artist, ever. I appreciate his musical experimentation, and I hope he keeps it up. If he wants to sing oom-pah tunes in the future -- not my favorite -- I'll still give him a listen, because he has a way of making the old feel new again.

I was going to write a fairly lengthy review to go along with my 5 stars but, honestly, I couldn't possibly improve on Carsten Knoch's review.

For what it's worth, I'm new to Paolo Nutini, thanks to a Week-End Edition segment on NPR on Aug. 8th. Don't you get the greatest feeling when you discover an artist that makes your heart smile? Both of his CD's do that and more though, I must confess, I prefer Sunny Side Up just for the sheer variety and exuberance.

As though in an attempt to banish once and for all, all those James Morrison/James Blunt comparisons, Scottish singer Paolo Nutini returns on his sophomore disc "Sunny side up" with a more diverse array of sounds. From Bob Marley-lite Reggae ("10 out of 10"), Bob Dylanesque Folk ("Growing up beside you", the acoustic "Tricks of the trade"), bouncy Blues-tinged ("Pencil full of lead") to Country-tinged ("Candy"), he tries it all, and for the most part, it works.

There's still some of his blue-eyed soul though; songs like the organ drenched " Coming up easy", the Bluesy "No other way", and the Jackie Wilson/Marvin Gaye-channelling "High hopes".

Other standouts are the beautiful "Worried man" (which sounds like it should be on some soundtrack to some Western), and the tender retro ballad "Keep rolling" with layered sombre harmonies.

Highly melodic, and filled with witty lyrics, this charming disc just grows and grows.

I bought this CD the day it came out and I've listened to it at least once a day since then. It's quickly becoming the soundtrack of my summer. It's happy, catchy, and perfect for anywhere and any activity.

The mix of music is eclectic, there's something to suit everyone, it seems, and if you're a fan of music at all, then this album is a must. You won't be disappointed.

This CD is definitely for those who like variety. There is the Paolo we know from These Streets but there is the Paolo we know from growing up with family and friends in Scotland. I find every song on this CD to be enjoyable in its' own way, Candy is the marketable piece but the wild jazzy Pencil Full of Lead takes you in a totally different direction as does High Hopes where you would swear you are sitting on the porch of an old southern plantation in the 1920's. Simple things is totally country ballad from the heather hills. Love it.

I am truly a fan, I loved his first record: "These Streets" is beautiful, simple and unpretentious, with an unforgettable voice. The fact that his first record sold millions is not by chance, Paolo has one of the best, if not THE BEST voice out there. This second album proves he is truly a complete artist with brilliant vocals and also proves that his writing is moving forward and getting better..
You will need more than a quick listen; there are many styles and layers in there.
Vocals are brilliant ....it does not matter what kind of song he sings, his range and vocal control are most unique......what a talented artist.
"Growing up besides you" is incredible, great background vocals but make sure you watch the live video version on his website.. his voice just comes out, no effort at all..(that is just pure talent). "No Other Way" an incredible ballad. "Candy" gets better as you listen and the second half of the song is fabulous, the video helped me a bit to like the song. All songs are different and have something to offer.
Awesome, brilliant follow up. He also deserves a lot of credit for doing what he believes is right.

As a fan of Paolo, I was utterly surprised to hear his mixture of mid 70's music, Jazz and Motown. Of course, he also adds his traditional sounds which come together to make a new album that directly showcases his talent and inspiration when it comes to music. This delightful album is his sophomore CD which had more energy when compared to his previous album. Paolo has ensured that an audience will be treated to a variety of music that is, was, and will forever be the creation of an artist that displays his vast recognition/knowledge of soulful music! Hope you enjoy his album!