The Duct Tapes

From his deep, charming drawl to the lazy, shuffling music behind him, Joe Paquin is a perfect example of a country musician who has a firm grasp on the genre. Unlike most country from this period, there is a homegrown appeal to Paquin's approach that brings to mind the rock-influenced country of classic Johnny Cash. Although Cash is obviously the standard to be held against in this aspect of the genre, Paquin manages to hold his own nicely. Where he really shines is on the ballads, from the wistful "Just a Kid" to the tender "Don't You Cry" he shows a remarkable sensitivity and thoughtfulness that is a frank reminder of how good this sort of music can get. The faster numbers are also good, although his one weakness is revealed through these tracks. Paquin does not quite have the lyrical chops to keep some of his songs going. This is definitely not the case throughout, but there are a few lines that are cringe-inducing enough to weaken the song and take the impact away from the music. Still, the jazz-tinged "Memorial Day" makes up for a lot of the weaker moments by opening the album very strongly, and "Jesus Would Love Me" is a humorous number that closes the album with a pleasantly sentimental vibe that fits Paquin's personality perfectly. The album may have its issues, but Paquin is a likable enough soul to root for and this sort of music rarely bubbles up into the mainstream. Fans of classic country should check this out; others may still enjoy Paquin's warm music.