MILK THE BEE – THE BREAK AND REPAIR METHOD
Paul Doucette is better known to fans of that undying corporate pop powerhouse, Matchbox 20, as their emotive drummer of many years. Here under his cryptic moniker, he’s delivered a solo album darkly frought with the bittersweet sentiments of a frustrated backline man. Since the ’20’s extended hiatus was announced, he’s rolled out the piano and recorded this record with producer Greg Collins. And you know what’ It isn’t half bad. This City… is an arrestingly overwrought thing, though with a strained honesty that somehow makes it appealing. In the album’s best track, Doucette channels the ghost of 90’s Wilco with You Won’t Be Able To Be Sad, its strident harmonies and crunching pianos keeping the pace going with terse meloncholy. There’s a whisper of Ben Folds too in the sardonic Now We Become Part of It. Fans of Matchbox 20 will revel in the chance to hear something a bit different from that highly commercial camp, and those who turn their noses up at aforementioned band will surely see that in stepping out on his own, Paul Doucette has something worthwhile to say.
by Aidan Roberts
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