Paul Cauthen (from the album Country Coming Down

Paul Cauthen (from the album Country Coming Down on Thirty Tigers) (by Lee Zimmerman)

Paul Cauthen’s clearly a cantankerous individual, a tenacious Texan who stays true to the defiance and determination that’s always been such an inherent element within the Lone Star State’s singular musical mantra. So too, he takes his cue from any number of insurgent Americana forebears — Johnny Cash, Waylon, Jennings, Billy Joe Shaver, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson chief among them — and yet at the same time, he doesn’t emulate any one of them in particular.  His own arched intents are evident from the outset, leaving no doubts as to the origin of his dark disposition. Even a casual listen to Country Coming Down’s lead-off track, “Country as Fuck”, makes it clear he possesses a singular style, one that defines his notion of what a country contrarian ought to stand for.
 
The rest of the album follows suit, thanks to an unabashedly antagonistic attitude Paul Cauthen manages to cultivate throughout. His big brassy baritone guarantees the gravitas remains intact, but it’s his sheer gusto and gravitas that generally maintains the consistent tone and temperament for each of these feisty forays. Naturally then, Cauthen remains unrepentant throughout, whether putting down posers and pretenders (“Country Clubbin’”, “Champagne & A Limo”, denouncing the crass commercialism that’s made modern country a formula-fueled hybrid (“Fuck You Money”) or simply exhibiting his brash bravado (pretty much every other song inhale set). It’s an exercise in no-holds-barred ferocity, a stoic stance that makes no apologies for either honesty or animosity.
 
With a steady stomp underscoring each of these irrepressible anthems, Paul Cauthen drives his determination home, and while he’s likely to offend some folks, he’s clearly not reluctant to crusade for a cause. Truth be told, he’s unlikely to get much airplay from commercial country stations due to language alone. Nevertheless, it’s his antagonistic attitude that defines him as a contrarian well outside today’s musical mainstream. A rebel with a cause, he just might prove provocative enough to encourage other musical malcontents to emulate his example.
(By Lee Zimmerman)
 
For more information, please visit the Paul Cauthen website
 

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