HENNING PAULY
"Credit
Where Credit Is Due" (Progrock; 2005)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
Henning Pauly and his merry band of friends and co-conspirators combine humor and progressive rock/metal into an infectious blend of cool music and funny lyrics. “Credit Where Credit Is Due” has literally come out of nowhere to be an instantly likeable nugget of inspired insanity.
The humor in “Credit Where Credit Is Due” seems to be informed by a bit of a Zappa-esque background with hints of Monty Python and some German comedians I’ve never heard of added as well. But the back-story involves a legal dispute with a well-renowned heavy metal vocalist. Regardless, the humor is not so wacky or so over-the-top as to detract from the overarching nature of the music.
Occasionally, the music gets stretched a bit thin with a little too much going on at times. However, given the fact that the music was pretty much written in two weeks and most of the lyrics and melodies were written over four weeks it’s amazing the record turned out as good as it did. “Credit Where Credit Is Due” sounds spontaneous because it basically is a spontaneous, rushed musical effort. But the album does not lack for heaviness – some tracks are downright heavy while mostly avoiding clichés which could derail a quickly recorded project like this.
“Credit Where Credit Is Due” is a breath of fresh air in a musical world populated by bands bemoaning the state of world affairs and the general negativity (perceived or real) that surrounds them.
“Credit Where Credit Is Due” was produced by Henning
Pauly.
Henning Pauly is Juan Roos on vocals and Henning Pauly on just about everything else. A host of individuals (too numerous to mention here) contributed vocals, melodies, and lyrics.
For more information visit http://www.henningpauly.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2006 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 11 Nov 2024 11:53:40 -0500.
