Paul Hicks knows how to write a killer song, after stints as frontman and songwriter for Melbourne roots music bands The Haybalers and Broken Spoke, Paul Hicks emerged in 2004 with a solo album, ‘Kettle of Fish’, that led critics to draw comparisons with all the usual suspects (Springsteen, Dylan and Paul Kelly)

So here we are two years down the track and Hicks has just released his follow-up album of acoustic, roots-rock compositions. And he sound s like Paul Hicks and thankfully it’s a lot less country than it’s predecessor and much more interesting.

“Give Me Love First” has all my favourite elements (good vocals, interesting guitars, production that lets you hear the words) and a wonderfully honest performance. Mark Stanley (engineer/producer) has captured something quite special here.

Oh yeah, the new album is called “Food for Thought” and is out on the Sound Vault label.