The Bottom Line
Pablo, though it may seem otherwise, is not a solo act put forth by a guy named Pablo. Rather, it's a collaborative effort put forth by a guy named Paul Schalda, his brother William, sister Margaret, and their paternal friends Michael and William Strandberg. Pablo is a family band -- though not a family named Pablo. Oh, and their debut album, Half The Time, it sounds like a solo album. It's got that intimate, personal feel to it. Whispered vocals, soft guitar, a contemplative lyric focus. It's a solid first work and, with only a few weak tracks, is an album worth checking out.
- "Half The Time"
- "Loser Crew"
- "Get Around"
- "Words For Free"
- "Wall Street"
Description
- Pablo hails from Brooklyn, NY.
- Half the Time was originally self-released by the band on 230 records -- but has since been picked up by Curb Appeal.
- Willaim Schalda Sr. played Harmoica on track 1 and 11. I assume he's the father of half the band.
- Kevin Devine guest sings on track 4
Guide Review - Pablo "Half The Time"--Album Review
Pablo's Half the Time begins on shaky ground. The first track, "Wall Street," which alludes to lead-singer/songwriter Paul Schalda's former life as a suited dude on that legendary street, is, well, how do I put it? A clunker. For an opener, the song takes especially long to get going -- and when it does, it never fully blooms melodically.
Luckily, I didn't give up on Half the Time after only hearing the first track. The second, the title track "Half the Time," is one of the album's strongest. Beginning with a punchy piano guitar intro but heading into Pablo's trademark mellow groove, the song is able to stay lean in its execution while still managing to produce an infectious melody. As far as I am concerned, the album begins there -- especially when Schalda reaches for the occasional higher notes during the song's choruses and pushes the song somewhere raw and real.
A good number of other tracks on Half the Time manage to work as well as the title track. The album's lead single "Loser Crew" does similar work while maintaining a sense of humor -- a rare feat for a band that wears its heart on its sleeve. (Don't get me wrong, "Loser Crew" is still an emotional song, it just has a quirky shrug to it that says "it's kinda funny, too.")
Another album highlight is the darker "Get Around," a tune that will easily get trapped between your ears. The song, with lyrics about frustration and miscommunication -- "Pardon me if I get around you/ head to toe ... I know I'm always losing touch" -- mixes a rollicking rhythm with a effectively perplexed mood. It's the kind of tune you could find yourself dancing to alone and in your underwear. (Not that that ever happens to me -- but hypothetically it could happen to you.) Plus, it's got well integrated clap tracks. How can that not help a song -- and an entire album, for that matter?
Go now. Check it out.
