P'dice Reviewed On "Hooked-on-music" - German

Habt Ihr zuvor schon mal von den Bands GABRIEL oder RIPPED & RIVERSEA gehört? Ich auch nicht. Aber einen der Musiker dieser beiden Gruppen, den kenne ich nun. Paul Cusick heißt der Mann, kurz Q, und er war bei den Gruppen für die Gitarre zuständig. Seit 2009 ist er nun solo unterwegs und daher auch gleich für das Songwriting, die Mehrzahl der Instrumente, den Gesang sowie die Produktion seiner Musik zuständig.

Dass sich das auszahlt, bewies gleich seine erste Solo-Scheibe “Focal Point“. Der Brite zelebrierte darauf das Andenken an alte Heroen wie PINK FLOYD, PINEAPPLE THIEF oder die frühen Werke von PORCUPINE TREE. Dabei machte er neben auftürmenden Keyboardwänden durch sein feinfühliges Gitarrenspiel auf sich aufmerksam, bei dem Vorbilder wie David Gilmour (PINK FLOYD), Steve Rothery (MARILLION) oder Steven Wilson (unter anderem PORCUPINE TREE) unschwer erkennbar waren.

“P'Dice“ lautet der Titel des zweiten Werkes von Paul Cusick. Dafür nahm Q eine Auszeit vom Job, baute sich ein eigenes Studio und machte sich ans Werk. Musikalisch hat sich nicht so viel verändert – zum Glück, wie ich hinzufügen möchte. Cusick ist seinem Sound, seinem Stil treu geblieben. Das Album bietet wieder abwechslungsreiches Songwriting, wie zum Beispiel beim Uptempo-Rocker-Opener Everything oder aber sphärisch-mystische Songs wie das anschließende God, Paper, Scissors. Bei dem elegisch-ausschweifenden Borderlines zeigt sich Cusick von seiner ruhigeren, oder wenn man will, verletzlicheren Seite. Ein Song mit reichlich Ambiete ist auch Hindsight, das Cusicks Sinn und Talent für überzeugende und berührende Spannungsbögen offenbart. Bei When It Rains fühle ich mich hingegen eher an Peter Gabriel erinnert.

Paul Cusick ist es gelungen, ein würdiges, weil spannendes Nachfolgealbum zu “Focal Point“ nachzulegen. Wer die oben genannten Musiker oder Bands mag, der sollte bei Paul Cusick auch mal reinhören. Das Ganze ist nämlich so überzeugend, dass es ihm gelungen ist, solche Koryphäen wie Marco Minnemann und Gavin Harrison für die Schlagzeug-Aufnahmen zu gewinnen. Das will schon was heißen und ist sicher ein weiteres Gütesiegel für dieses ohnehin klasse Album.

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P'dice Reviewed on DaMusic - Dutch

Als twee van ’s werelds beste drummers op je plaat willen meespelen, moet je wel uit het goede hout gesneden zijn. Na het goed ontvangen debuut,  ‘Focal Point’, moet Paul Cusick op ‘P’dice’ (kort voor prejudice) definitief bevestigen. De Britse multi-instrumentalist doet wat van hem verwacht wordt.
Binnen een retrospectief genre als prog toch vernieuwend uit de hoek komen, het is de aard van dit beestje. Niet Yes of Genesis, maar Porcupine Tree, OSI en Tool klinken door in de eigen composities van deze ex-gitarist uit de begeleidingsband van Peter Gabriel. Maar het is ook de afwisseling met mijmerende, Floydiaanse passages die deze plaat boven de middelmaat doet uitstijgen.
‘P’dice’ is niet de plaat waar je meteen vrolijk van wordt. Het typisch Britse, druilerige gevoel van somberheid overheerst. Cusick heeft als singer-songwriter verhalen te vertellen met dezelfde misantropie als die van Roger Waters. Opvallend scherp is het afsluitende The Human Race: “Sorry you can’t come in / We’d like to say you’re welcome here / but that is not the case / Don’t take this personally / we love the place that you come from / we just don’t like the Human Race."
De keuze van Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) en Marco Minnemann (UKZ, The Aristocrats) om achter het drumkit te kruipen, is de goeie geweest. Beiden hebben ze een moderne groove die past bij de broeierige ritmiek en de vette galm van de gitaren. Maar eens de mokerslagen van Harrison en Minnemann zwijgen, zijn het Cusicks arpeggio’s op de klassieke six-string die een onbehaaglijke sfeer oproepen.
Vocaal is Pink Floyd een duidelijke referentie, maar Cusick is geen groot zanger en dus had hij beter niet alleen een drummer, maar ook een ‘grote’ stem ingehuurd. Die moet dan wel opboksen tegen de moderne ritmes en de interessante gitaarriffs. Misschien kan hij de volgende keer Damian Wilson vragen, die met zijn geweldige strot momenteel indruk maakt bij zijn nieuwe band Headspace.

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P'dice Reviewed By Jerry Lucky

Some folks love the collaborative efforts of being in a band. Others just get the urge to do things on their own. It was the later that finally caught up with Paul Cusick. After spending time as lead guitarist in a number of bands the urge became too great and he struck out on his own and created his first solo CD entitled Focal Points. The response was so positive he’s done it again and given us P’dice. Cusick is playing pretty much everything here although he does have help from two drummers including Porcupine Tree’s Gavin Harrison. Did I mention this is a concept album? Well it is, all about reflecting back on our thoughts and actions through the eyes of prejudice. In a nutshell the music here is a melodic mix that reminds me of the work of Alan Parsons mixed with Camel and a bit of Pink Floyd.

We have ten tracks on P’dice, the longest being just over eleven-minutes while the shortest is just under two. We start off with the tune “Everything” [5:01] a rocking, fast-paced tune that’s designed to get you in the mood. Cusick’s real talents aren’t on full display just yet, but as track two commences, “God, Paper Scissors” [5:24] with its soft, almost spoken intro over Peter Gabriel styled ominous synth foundation you get a better idea of the overall feel of the disc. The tune continues to build in intensity till it‘s grand climax. In some senses I’m tempted to place Cusick in the same general prog category as artists like Steve Thorne, a musical story-teller. He clearly has much to say and the lyrics allow him the pulpit to get things off his chest. The music on the other hand stretches over a wide landscape to suit the overall feeling Cusick has incorporated into his words. If it’s anger, the music rocks and is aggressive, if its despair the music reflects that. Guitar being his ‘first’ instrument so to speak, there are plenty of great lead lines sprinkled throughout, but they’re rarely so dominant as to distract. While much of the music has a somewhat hesitant or even somber tone each instrument is inserted judiciously help convey the composer’s feelings.   

I’m not hearing any kind of sophomore slump with Paul Cusick’s second release. P’dice is a very strong set of tunes. If you are a fan of any of the artists mentioned above I’m quite sure you’ll find much to enjoy here. The music on P’dice is melodic enough to get you humming along and yet is eclectic enough to keep you guessing. It’s a nice combination.

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P'dice Reviewed In Background Magazine

At first the name Paul Cusick did not ring a bell, than I found out he spent his time playing guitar in Gabriel and in some lesser known bands. After reading my colleague's review of his first album Focal Point (see review) and after listening to Paul's latest CD P'dice I will have to find his debut as well. As a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist everything on the album is played by Paul himself with the exception of the drums. A very positive point is that Paul did not decide to use programmed drums but asked two drummers of flesh and blood to play the drums for his new album.

The first song completely sets me in the wrong direction. When I listen to Everything the first thing that come to mind is melodic rock from the United States. Paul's voice sounds as Night Rangers's Jack Blades and the song has hunches of the aforementioned band and Jack Blades cooperation with Styx's Tommy Shaw in their band Shaw Blades. A bit strange to hear this but certainly not a bad song where in the end the melodic rock slightly turns towards progressive rock. On God, Paper, Scissors you hear the influences my colleague referred to when he reviewed Paul's debut album, namely Porcupine Tree. Coincidence that the drummer on this song is Gavin Harrison? I don't think so, Paul's music already had a lot of Porcupine Tree influence on the previous album, he only was so lucky to have Gavin play on three songs and his significant type of drumming will always be linked to Porcupine Tree I guess. Besides Gavin, Paul also invited another impressive drum monster to play on P'dice, namely Marco Minnemann, so regarding the drums on this album, that should be and is more than OK. Listen to the over eleven and a half minute song Borderlines, where Paul's strong and emotional vocals are perfectly in balance with the guitars, drums and guitar lines. Here the Porcupine Tree influences are taken over by Blackfield, another Steven Wilson production. Mainly because Paul's voice has more of Aviv Geffen than it has of Steven Wilson. A brilliant spacey guitar solo will connect you to the internet and after a powerful part, the music flows back to the main melody to close the song. Soft piano with electronic percussion  leads into Tears where Paul shows how an emotional ballad should sound like. A slightly dark voice, combined with a flowing guitar in the vein of Dave Gilmour, gently turn into a more up tempo song where the power also builds up to a cool crescendo. You Know originally was released as a CD single but appears here in its full glory. Marco lays down a cool Blackfield like drum pattern before the power kicks in and turns the song more into an alternative song with a progressive touch. Paul's vocals seem to be able to cover it all, a great addition to the album. Hindsight has again a Blackfield atmosphere, but still has a true sound of its own, a perfect way to demonstrate  how a piano, an acoustic guitar and superb vocals go together. I noticed that the songs are composed on piano at first, so no surprise Feel This Way has this strong basics of piano. Halfway the song Gavin's trademark drumming and a stunning floating guitar are filling the room with their power, just to softly flow away into the mesmerizing sounds of the beginning of the song. When It Rains was also released as a CD single and gets its full glory on P'dice, slightly electronic percussion and soft vocals are building up and giving the song slightly more power towards the end. When I come to Waiting, the ninth song of the album, I am totally into Paul Cusick. His songs are impressive, surely with some influences of Steven Wilson, but still very Paul Cusick. With his vocals he is able to grab the inner soul of the songs. In Waiting he is accompanied by Sammi Lee, whose voice really adds something to the song, especially in the softer part at the end of the song. The last song on the album is The Human Race, another impressive showcase of keyboards, guitar and a brilliant voice.

With his second album, Paul Cusick did definitely enter the major league of progressive rock and I am sure he will get the recognition he deserves, because P'dice is a brilliant album. Please gather a band and bring us the music on a live stage, in the meantime I will do some searching for the debut album.

****+ Pedro Bekkers

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P'dice Reviewed on MLWZ.pl - Polish

Podobał się nam płytowy debiut Paula Cusicka (o albumie „Focal Point” 2010 pisaliśmy na naszych łamach dwa lata temu – bezpośredni link tutaj), zachwyciły nas utwory wypełniające tę płytę, poruszyły dźwięki układające się w przyjemną w odbiorze, pełną emocji, całość przepełnioną ładnymi melodiami oraz nasyconą intrygującą, wręcz wciągającą atmosferą, na którą składała się istna mieszkanka stylów i klimatów. Bez niepotrzebnej próby definiowania za wszelką cenę, propozycje tego brytyjskiego artysty nazwać trzeba po prostu rockiem zagranym na najwyższym poziomie. Rockiem poprzedzonym, w zależności od tego, co komu uda się wychwycić w muzyce Cusicka, słówkiem: „progresywny”, „post” czy „emo”. W każdym razie w swojej twórczości muzyk ten porusza się po szeroko rozumianych terytoriach prog rocka przesyconego ciekawymi melodiami układającymi się w nadzwyczaj zgrabne utwory.

Podobnie jak na płycie „Focal Point”, na swoimi nowym krążku Paul Cusick jawi się nam jako jednoosobowy zespół; gra on na wszystkich (prawie) instrumentach, sam skomponował całą muzykę, napisał wszystkie teksty, a także zajął się miksem oraz podjął się produkcji. Do pomocy potrzebował jedynie perkusisty. A właściwie dwóch perkusistów. Sięgnął bowiem po dwie wybitne, cieszące się uznaniem w branży postaci: Marco Minnemanna (Steven Wilson Band, The Aristocrats) oraz Gavina Harrisona (Porcupine Tree, King Crimson).

Skąd tytuł płyty? „P’dice” to skrót od słowa „prejudice” (uprzedzenie). Lub też, jak rozwija to sam autor: „The Personal Possesion Of A Random Prejudice”, co w naszym polskim (skąd my to znamy?), luźnym tłumaczeniu można by określić jako „zwykłą, szczerą zawiść”.

„Myślę, że nie przesadzę mówiąc, że wszyscy jesteśmy na codzień świadkami uprzedzenia i różnych przejawów zawiści: rasizmu, nietolerancji religijnej, klasowości, homofobii, zazdrości o dobra materialne, seksizmu, tych wszystkich chorych „izmów”, które przejawiają się brakiem tolerancji dla normalnych ludzkich zachowań” – tłumaczy Cusick. I trzeba przyznać, że w sporo jest racji w jego słowach: „Paradoksem wydają się różne uprzedzenia wynikające z tego, gdzie ktoś się urodził, w jakiej warstwie społecznej się wychowywał, jakie odebrał wykształcenie czy też po prostu czy jest gruby albo chudy. Niektórzy nawet myślą, że są w stanie ocenić kim ktoś jest po samochodzie, którym jeździ, po pracy, jaką wykonuje lub też po muzyce, której lubi słuchać. To chore”.

Jako bohatera płyty „P’dice” Cusick uczynił człowieka, który z perspektywy czasu wspomina pewne zdarzenia swojego życia, analizuje swoje myśli, plany, decyzje, uczucia, które kształtowały się, często podświadomie, w wyniku zwykłych uprzedzeń.  Temat to niełatwy, ale opowiedziany jest tutaj rozumnie, z wyczuciem i, co najważniejsze, celnie. No i przede wszystkim włożony jest on w ramy zgrabnej, blisko 60-minutowej płyty, składającej się z 10 dobrych utworów.

Do kogo artysta adresuje swe muzyczne propozycje? Od razu powiem, że do ekranów komputera (a potem czym prędzej do odtwarzaczy CD) powinni zbliżyć się teraz sympatycy twórczości Porcupine Tree. Paul Cusick pozostaje bowiem na płycie „P’dice” wierny stylistyce znanej ze swojej poprzedniej płyty, a ta, jak pamiętamy, jawnie hołdowała dorobkowi Stevena Wilsona i jego zespołu (zespołów).

Album otwiera utwór o wymownym (także pod względem różnorodności stylu, w którym jest utrzymany) tytule „Everything”. To bardzo dobry rocker, świetny, dynamiczny wstęp do tego, co za chwilę usłyszymy. A słyszymy najpierw niezwykły, pełen pewnych odniesień do muzycznych lat 70. utwór zatytułowany „God, Paper, Scissors” (pod względem literackim to jeden z najmocniejszych punktów całej płyty; muzycznie niestety kształtuje się on w rejonach niższych), potem najdłuższą (blisko 12 minut) kompozycję „Borderlines” (nie mogę oprzeć się wrażeniu, że słyszę tu wyraźne wpływy muzyki VdGG oraz Porcupine Tree), następnie ciekawy, ledwie czterominutowy balladowy, z przeszywającym serce finałem, utwór „Tears” i chwilę potem bardzo jeżozwierzowy „You know” – utwór, w którym można się zakochać od pierwszego razu. Brzmi doprawdy świetnie, a to dopiero połowa albumu. Do końca zostało jeszcze 5 utworów, z których co najmniej dwa – „Feel This Way” i „Waiting” z gościnnym udziałem wokalistki Sammy Lee - to kompozycje z najwyższej rockowej półki.

„P’dice” to rzecz, która naprawdę może się podobać. I to nie tylko fanom grup pokroju Porcupine Tree, Van der Graaf Generator, Gentle Giant, Pink Floyd czy Genesis. To po prostu kawał dobrej muzyki, przy słuchaniu której można spędzić mnóstwo przyjemnych chwil.

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P'dice Review from Babyblaue-seiten.de - German

Mit seinem zweiten Album „P'dice“ macht Paul Cusick da weiter, wo er mit „Focal Point“ aufgehört hat. Perfekt gespielter, atmosphärischer, melodischer, packender New Artrock, der sich geschickt alle Möglichkeiten zu nutze macht, die moderne Studiotechnik so bieten. Cusick spielt wieder so ziemlich alles selbst und singt. Am Schlagzeug hat er diesmal mit Gavin Harrison und Marco Minnemann Hochkaräter am Start, die das musikalische Erscheinungsbild nochmals aufwerten. Vor allem Minnemann glänzt mit souveränen Beiträgen. Auf einem Track ist mit Sammi Lee eine starke Gastsängerin mit dabei.

Cusick ergeht sich in elegischen Gitarrenparts, die David Gilmour nicht besser hinbekommen hätte, und gefühlvollen Soli, die Rothery aufhorchen lassen dürften. Die Gitarre ist halt immer noch seine liebste Spielwiese, aber die Tastenklänge sind geschmackvoll und das Bassspiel songdienlich und ausreichend druckvoll. Gerade beim Opener und später bei „You Know“ überrascht Cusick mit – für seine Verhältnisse – heftigen Ausbrüchen. Dabei klingt „Everything“, auch wegen des leicht verzerrten Gesangs, wie eine Kreuzung aus Brit-Pop und Rock'n'Roll, während „You Know“ eher in die Richtung Porcupine Tree ausschlägt. Das über 11minütige „Borderlines“ klingt wie Pink Floyd in ihren besten 70er Jahre-Tagen und lässt sich viel Zeit mit gelungenem Stimmungs- und Spannungsaufbau.

Auch inhaltlich ist „P'dice“ durchaus anspruchsvoll. „P'dice“ ist eine Abkürzung für 'prejudice', also 'Vorurteil'. Und so geht es um die eigenen Befindlichkeiten, die Schwierigkeiten mit Vorurteilen, Ungerechtigkeiten und recht intelligenter Religionskritik (das gelingt ja bei weitem nicht jedem so subtil).

Ein rundum gelungener Zweitling also, mit dem Paul Cusick seinen Stil verfeinert und noch edler präsentiert. Der einzige Mecker ist, dass das Album nach „You Know“ in eine ruhige, sehr ruhige Schiene einschwenkt. So sind die Songs zwar nicht schlechter, aber doch eben etwas zu ruhig geraten, auch wenn eine Nummer wie "Hindsight" förmlich vor Emotionalität platzt. Erst der Einsatz von besagter Sammi Lee lockert die beginnende Lethargie ordentlich auf. Wem „Focal Point“ schon gefallen hat, der dürfte auch „P'dice“ genießen, alle anderen sollten dem Album eine Chance geben, wenn man dem Genre nicht völlig abhold ist. Gutes Album.

by Thomas Kohlruß

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P'dice Review from Musicwaves.fr - French

Fort d’un premier album de belle facture, l’anglais Paul Cusick revient à notre bon souvenir avec P’Dice, opus subventionné par plus de 500 personnes (dont votre serviteur qui a eu de fait l’honneur de voir son nom apparaître sur la dernière page des donateurs). L’homme a ainsi pris son temps pour peaufiner sa deuxième livraison.

Dix titres forment cet opus et, si la majorité des plages n’est pas enchaînée, il peut être considéré comme un concept album de part l’histoire relatée ici, celle d’un homme qui explore les divers moments de sa vie et leurs enchaînements, conscient ou pas. Cette fois encore Paul se charge de l’ensemble des instruments hormis la batterie qu’il a laissé à deux noms connus et reconnus : Marco Minnemann et Gavin Harrisson. Sammi Lee vient aussi pousser la chansonnette sur "Waiting" faisant s’envoler la composition en y apportant un peps certain !

Si le fantôme de Porcupine Tree hantait "Focal Point", il est encore bien présent dans la construction des compositions. En effet, la classique montée en puissance qui se termine par un déferlement de guitare qu’utilise fréquemment la troupe de Steven Wilson marque de son empreinte "God, Paper, Scissors", "Tears" ou "You Know". Mais Paul Cusick réussit tout de même à imposer sa différence, en l’occurrence sa voix, qui peut se révéler envoûtante et chaleureuse ("God, Paper, Scissors", "Feel This Way", "Hindsight") ou percutante et directe ("Everything", "You Know"). Sans être le meilleur vocaliste du circuit, Cusick assure et c’est l’essentiel.

Bien ancré dans un rock progressif moderne, l’anglais rejoint son collègue Robin Amstrong (Cosmograf) dans la tradition des longues compositions avec un "Borderlines" qui alterne moments émouvants (l’introduction avec cloche et guitare pleureuse à la Andy Latimer) et passages soutenus (notamment les refrains), le tout complété par deux soli de 6 cordes avant un final tout en douceur. Finalement le percutant titre d’ouverture, très rock, se trouve être un leurre s’écartant de peu de l’atmosphère générale de l’album sans toutefois être mis à l’écart.

Enfin, sans être technique les nombreuses interventions solistes des guitares électriques se font fort à propos et, judicieusement positionnées, elles ponctuent l’album de belle manière. Petit clin d’œil aussi à Peter Gabriel avec "When It Rains" et sa basse ronflante calquée sur "Mercy Street".

Avec "P’Dice", Paul Cusick ne rompt pas totalement avec le registre dans lequel il s’est aventuré deux ans plus tôt. Cet album se veut cependant plus personnel et moins accessible de premier abord, nécessitant ainsi plusieurs écoutes pour bien ressentir l’émotion qui s'en dégage. Encore un bel album de progressif moderne à se mettre sous la dent dans la lignée du dernier Cosmograf.

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ENGLISH TRANSLATION by Luc Cyr

With a finely crafted debut album, British Paul Cusick makes a welcome return with P'dice, an opus funded by more than 500 people (including myself who has had the honor of seeing my name appear on the last page of donors). The man has taken his time to craft his second delivery.

Ten songs complete this album, and if the majority of tracks are not related, it can be considered a concept album by the story told here, that of a man who explores the various moments of his life and by the tracks sequences, conscious or not. Again Paul is responsible for all the instruments except drums, which he left to two well known and recognizable names: Gavin Harrison and Marco Minnemann. Sammi Lee also carries a tune on "Waiting", making the composition rise up by providing some power!

If the Porcupine Tree ghost haunted "Focal Point", it is still present in the construction of the compositions. Indeed, the classic rise that ends with a surge of guitar frequently used by Steven Wilson’s group  marks "God, Paper, Scissors", "Tears" or "You Know". But Paul Cusick still manages to impose his differences, in this case his voice, which can be mesmerizing and warm ("God, Paper, Scissors", "Feel This Way", "Hindsight") or forceful and direct ("Everything", "You Know"). While not the best vocalist of the circuit, Cusick provides waht is needed.

Although rooted in a modern progressive rock, the Brit joined his colleague Robin Armstrong (Cosmograf) in the tradition of long compositions with a "Borderlines" which alternates lush soundscapes (with bell in the introduction to the Andy Latimer’s weeping guitar) and supported passages (especially the chorus), completed by two 6-string solos before a smooth finale. Finally the powerful opening track "Everything", very rocky, perhaps not in keeping with the general atmosphere of the album but cannot be ignored.

 

Finally, without being too technical, the numerous electric guitars solos are aptly and carefully positioned, they punctuate the album in fine style. A nod here to Peter Gabriel with "When It Rains" and his rumbling bass on "Mercy Street".

 

With "P'dice", Paul Cusick does not break completely with the style in which he ventured two years earlier. This album is however more personal and less accessible at first, requiring a few listens to fully feel the emotion that comes out. Another great modern progressive album to get a taste of in the tradition of the latest Cosmograf.

 

P'dice Review from Powerofprog.com

Focal Point was one of the most impressive debut albums of recent years and Paul Cusick continues to punch well above his weight on this sophomore release on his own label Q Rock Records, this time round with an atmospheric and emotional lyrical intensity added to his impressive musical armoury. 

Cusick writes, produces and plays all the instruments (except drums, this time round impressively played by special guests Gavin Harrison and Marco Minnemann) and allows the songs to breathe, taking on their own dynamics in the open spaces. 

Take a dollop of Porcupine Tree, a dose of Mostly Autumn, a dash of Peter Gabriel and a dusting of Dave Gilmour and you’re not a million miles away musically, but Cusick is forging his own identity, this time round adding breathy intimacy and brave self-exposure to a set of cleverly crafted songs that are challenging (‘God, Paper, Scissors’), emotionally raw (‘Waiting’) and understatedly post-progressive (‘Borderlines’).

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P'dice Review from Unprogged.com - Italian

Quando crediamo fortemente in un progetto, nessun ostacolo dovrebbe impedirci di provare a realizzarlo; Cristoforo Colombo era convinto di poter raggiungere le Indie viaggiando verso Ovest e per intraprendere il suo viaggio chiese aiuti logistici e soprattutto finanziari a diversi sovrani europei; dopo aver subìto il rifiuto del potentissimo re del Portogallo non si perse d’animo e rivolse la medesima richiesta alla regina di Spagna, la lungimirante Isabella di Castiglia, che gli concesse credito, un equipaggio e tre caravelle.


Con la stessa determinazione il musicista inglese Paul Cusick, dopo aver pubblicato a sue spese il primo disco (“Focal Point” nel 2008), si appellò ai fan chiedendo di comperare in anticipo il suo futuro secondo lavoro; in 500 aderirono fornendogli i mezzi di sostentamento necessari per sospendere la sua professione di ingegnere, costruire uno studio di registrazione e realizzare il suo progetto: l’album intitolato P’dice di cui ora parlerò.

E’ un bellissimo disco con più anime, che si destreggia agevolmente tra i ritmi effervescenti dei Karmakanic (“Everything”) il mood nostalgico caro a Peter Gabriel (“Waiting”) e le arie PROG tipiche dei Porcupine Tree (“Borderlines” e “You know”). E’ forse questo il gruppo da cui Paul trae maggior ispirazione e ciò si percepisce ascoltandone la voce che assomiglia (non se se volutamente) a quella di Steven Wilson e dalla presenza dell’immenso Gavin Harrison alla batteria; in questo disco infatti, Paul suona tutti gli strumenti ma desiderando di avere alla batteria due mostri sacri che lui considera degli idoli (Gavin Harrison e Marco Minnemann) gli mandò alcune registrazioni chiedendo se volessero arricchirle con le rispettive capacità ritmiche; sorpresi dalla qualità delle canzoni, entrambi accettarono e si divisero il compito.

Come detto in precedenza, si respirano diverse atmosfere: da quelle più ritmate e briose dell’inizio dove brani come “God, paper, scissors” rendono l’ascolto molto divertente, ad un finale più mellifluo e delicato con brani come “Hindsight” e la successiva “Feel this way” che con molta grazia giocano a solleticare le nostre emozioni, vibrando a basso volume ma ad elevata intensità. La conclusiva “The human race” con i suoi due minuti scarsi di leggerezza rende un dolce commiato che permette di spegnere il CD con un soddisfacente appagamento sensoriale, un godimento che dischi musicalmente anche migliori di questo a volte non regalano.

Come racconta Paul sul suo sito, il titolo “P’dice” è un gioco di parole: rappresenta sia l’abbreviazione della parola “Prejudice” sia l’approssimazione di “i dadi di P”. Gli argomenti trattati parlano infatti di pregiudizi (sessismo, razzismo, classismo e tanti altri “ismi”), di come la nostra vita sia condizionata da essi e da una buona dose di casualità, rappresentata dai dadi: un pizzico di filosofia che aggiunge valore ad un disco qualitativamente molto valido.

Link to Source Review

ENGLISH TRANSLATION by Phil Destefano and Robert Walden.

When we strongly believe in a project, no obstacle should prevent us from trying to achieve it.Christopher Columbus was convinced he could reach the indies travelling from the west and to realise this journey he asked for help both logistics and financial to several european sovereigns.After being refused by the powerful
King of Portugal he didn't lose faith  and revoged his request to the Queen of Spain Isabella di Castiglia,who with great hindsight agreed to give him credit, crew and three carravels.

With the same determination the english musician Paul Cusick after recording at his own expense ( Focal Point in 2008) turned to his fans asking them to buy in advance his future second work: 500 accepted giving him the opportunity to give up his job as an enginneer and build a rcording studio and carry out his
project, the album entitled P'dice, I will now talk about.

It's a beautiful record with a lot of soul that unravels nimbly into aneffervant rythm of Karmakis (Everything) the nostalgic moodiness dear to Peter Gabriel (Waiting) and the melodic Prog typical of Porcupine Tree (
Borderlines) and ( You Know). Perhaps this is the group in which Paul finds inspiration most of all because as you percieve listning to his voice ( I don't know if it's volontary) a similarity to that of Steven Wilson and the presence of the great Gavin Harrison on drums. Infact in his record Paul plays all the instruments but with great desire to have at the drums two big names of the music industry he considers his idols (Gavin Harrison and Marco Minnemann) whom he sent some of his recordings asking if they would consider to enrich them
with their own respective rhythmic capacities. Amazed at the quality of his work they both accepted, dividing the task between themselves.

As mentioned previously, you breath many atmospheres, from the more rythmic and lively at the beginning where pieces like "God, Paper, Scissors" has a fun sound to a more sugary and delicate final with songs like "Hindsight" and the subsequent "Feel this way" leading you gracefully, teasing and prompting our
emotions, vibrating softly but at high intensity. The concluding "The Human Race" has a delightful care-freeness and sweetness about it that allows you to turn off the CD with a feeling of satisfaction and contentment that other songs maybe musically superior sometimes don't award you.

As Paul tells on his site, the title"P'dice" is a word game representing the abbreviation of the word "Prejudice" and meaning the "dices of P". The subjects dealt with talk infact about prejudices (sexism, racism, classism) and other "isms" and how our lives are influenced by them, along with a good dose of chance, in other words with the toss of the dice. So a pinch of philosophy that adds value to a record of valid quality.

P'dice Review from Melodic.net

Paul Cusick is a multi-musician from the U.K, he released his debut "Focal point" in 2009 and managed to get 500 pre-orders for his next album from fans helping to finance his music, which is a really nice gesture and a great way to support an artist. Paul´s influences come from songbased progrock with artists like Porcupine Tree, Marillion and Pink Floyd but also epic pop like Coldplay and U2. Even though his new album "P´dice" (the title is Paul´s play with the word prejudice) is 1 hour long, it doesn´t feel lengthy mostly because of the variation in the songstructures and many songs are rich of nuances plus I like Paul´s gentle melodies. Perhaps the production is a bit light but it works, close your eyes and daydream to "Hindsight" or mindtravel majestic to the grande "Borderlines". There´s no doubt, Paul Cusick is a talented artist. The album features guest appearances from drum legends Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) and Marco Minnemann (U.K).

Link to source review 

P'dice Review from Neoprog.eu - French

P’dice est un album composé par Paul Cusick avec Gavin Harisson, Marco Minnemann et Sammi Lee au chant.

Everything est un morceau direct, énergique, très rock, couplet refrain, peu de chose à voir avec le progressif sauf cette rupture à la dernière minute, pas d’instrumental mais un changement de ton et de vitesse.

God, Paper, Scissors sonne comme le début de Invisible Man, ces percussions, ces petites notes de claviers, le son de la guitare, et comme Invisible Man, le titre décolle lentement après plus de trois minutes quarante, riff hargneux et en toile de fond le refrain My God, Your God. Excellent.

Dépassant les onze minutes, Borderline attaque le grand format de l’album.
Le démarrage est planant, son de cloches dans le lointain, quelques notes de guitare espacées, nappe de claviers, percussions isolées et on est déjà à plus de quatre minutes. La guitare s’éveille alors et arrive le chant avec une construction classique couplet refrain, classique oui mais accrocheur. Après le second refrain, rupture de rythme, les claviers jouent quelques nappes avant l’arrivée d’un magnifique solo de guitare, trop court bien entendu mais qui laisse place à un instrumental qui s’efface enfin pour un dernier couplet au piano et guitare. Le texte est magnifique, la chanson bien construite, bref vous aimerez.

Avec quelques notes de piano et de guitare, des percussions et des belles paroles, Paul compose plus de la moitié de Tears de manière très intimiste et épurée. Mais la guitare répétant inlassablement les mêmes notes secoue brutalement l’auditoire pour deux minutes énergiques avant que la musique ne revienne sur le piano pour finir le titre. On sent l’évidente influence de Gabriel dans la première partie.

You Know est un peu plus classique mais le contraste entre refrain et couplet est bien maîtrisé.
A la quatrième minute solo de guitare un peu conventionnel mais le final apporte un peu d’originalité, surtout le jeu de basse et percussions particulièrement brillant.

Hindsight reprend l’atmosphère de Tears avec une guitare acoustique en plus, musique tout en attente, qui se met en place très lentement. Le chant assez nostalgique arrive après trois minutes, soutenu par la guitare et quelques notes de piano. Un titre assez bref et très touchant.

Feel This Way et When It Rains glissent sans vraiment accrocher, dommage.

Avec Waiting on revient à une musique plus construite même si elle ne laisse rien paraître. L’arrivée de Sammi Lee au chant, de nombreux breaks, imperceptibles pour certains, et cette dernière minute trente presque sans musique, avec Sammi qui murmure avant les trente secondes de silence, c’est tout simplement magique.

The Human Race termine cet l’album, une minute et cinquante et une secondes. Incroyable ce que l’on peut faire en si peu de temps. Très beau final !

Beaucoup d’influences dans cet album, quelques titres un peu planplan et de très jolies choses, progressives ou pas. On ne profite peut-être pas assez des talents de Gaving ou de Sammi, par contre les textes sont magnifiques et quelques titres très inventifs comme Waiting.

Link to Original

Note: Translation Needed :o)

P'dice Review from Germany Derwesten.de

As if Paul Cusick wanted to commemorate himself, I stepped at one of his promo cards lying in the photographers pit at the Düsseldorf Concert of Dream Theater. The target audience of these progressive metal giants are quite smilar to that of this British guy. With his new Album P'dice (released in January on his own label Q Rock Records) he is fishing in the pool of the progressive and hard rock fans.

With the last notes of Dream Theater barely out of my ear, I listened to Cusick's album again. One impression disappeared very quickly: That this man from York has produced an old school hard rock album. At best only track one called "Everything" is an uptempo track without further adornments.

The concepts that Cusick develops, continuing on from track one, will provide friends of Porcupine Tree, Steven Wilson, Pink Floyd or Riverside with great joy. Definitely outstanding is in this case the long track "Borderlines". This song eases itself along for four minutes with keyboard and guitar soundscapes before the single meloncholic guitar sets the tone. In this kind of bluesy song, Cusick's voice is laid back, emotional and reminds me vocally of the softer songs by regional bands like Fury in the Slaughterhouse.

Cusick continues with this soft theme: "Tears" by definition is not a cheery song. "You know" then starts with noises and drumbeats with hints and overtones of world music, but then the guitars get rougher reminding me a bit of the mood Steven Wilson conjured on Porcupine Tree's "Fear of a Blank Planet" or the EP "Nil Recurring". Subsequently "Hindsight" and "Feel this way" are sparinly orchestrated and once again very melancholic. This atmosphere remains until the end of the album, when Cusick, as an exception, shares the microphone with Sammi Lee in "Waiting". This song owns a short but intense reverberation into "The Human Race". A ambitious Album with a pensive keynote.

There's another overlap to the crowd of the Dream Theater concert. Cusick invited prominent musicians to record the instruments he cannot play himself: the drums. To be precise: Porcupine Tree Drummer Gavin Harrison (three Songs) and german Marco Minnemann (played with Nena among others). Minnemann not only sat at the drum kit for Steven Wilson's recent solo tour, but also applied for Mike Portnoy's vacated job with Dream Theater. Mike Mangini finally got that job.

Toptip: Borderlines.

My thanks to translations from  Björn Magdans and Dennis V-Derfort

Link To Original Review on Derwesten.de

P'dice Review from DPRP (Dutch Progressive Rock Page)

I like to think that advertising never sucks me in, as in “I am an individual, not a number”, and probably you all think that way too. Now take a look around your home, how many things are there because you’re familiar with them, a familiarity reinforced through endless advertising. And how many things are there because you thought “that might be good” having seen something that caught the eye on TV or Facebook or wherever.


Such a thing, if he doesn’t mind being called a “thing” is Paul Cusick who I’ll admit first caught my eye with a Facebook advert a couple of years ago along the lines of “If you like Porcupine Tree you’ll like this”, and as his first album was available then as a free download, what did I have to lose? That first album Focal Point was indeed heavily influenced by Mr Wilson’s combo, and by Pink Floyd but showed enough promise for me and a few hundred others to pay up front for the recording of this his second album.


P’dice, short for The Personal Possession Of A Random Prejudice, is a nice progression from Focal Point although the Floyd/PT influence is still there, as you would expect. With drum duties shared between Marco Minneman and Gavin Harrison it is hardly surprising that the PT and Steven Wilson influences are writ large although there is now undoubtedly a Paul Cusick sound developing that is taking its own path.


Opener Everything rocks out and is the most upbeat song on the album, Marco’s pounding rhythm propelling the thing along at a pace, before slowing to end with what will become the trademark modern atmospherics. Tears is a ballad that could be sad but is actually uplifting and puts me in mind of Peter Gabriel, until the guitar solo lifts the thing into stadium rock territory. When It Rains also has the Gabriel influence as it tells its tale of emotional loss and pain. Hindsight is a personal favourite, the three verses of personal regret being sung to a minimal background at the end of a four and a half minute song that has previously built up a cinematic atmosphere of edgy melancholia, quite a clever piece of writing indeed. A dark place is visited on Waiting as Paul and guest singer Sammi Lee sing a plaintive torch ballad about struggling to come to terms with cancer, and its terminal outcome, sending a shiver down my spine.

Paul plays everything apart from the drums, and as can be the case with one-man band style productions there are moments that lack a bit of clarity but overall the sound is well managed and suitably modernistic. Should Paul ever be able to take this on the road it will be worth a visit that’s for sure.

The straightforward lyrics deal with love, regret and pain, and a nagging dissatisfaction at the way we live in the West, be it railing at capitalism, or the lack of spirituality, or bemoaning prejudice, which is where the album title comes in. Paul has made various announcements through his judicious use of social networking media over the past year or so as to the progress of his work throughout its gestation in order to keep us sub payers up to date. All through this process I always assumed that P’dice was simply a working title as it sounds a bit naff if I’m being honest, but this was the title he ran with. A minor gripe I suppose!

Whatever, Paul is a shining example of how to use modern social communication methods to not only promote, but also to self-finance an album release, and new bands and artists could do worse than follow his example, or at the least ask for his advice. The clincher is will I be paying up front for the third album, should he choose to go that route again? On this evidence why not, as Paul shows a growing maturity in his song craft and is forging his own sound, a sound that fans of mid-period Floyd and lovers of the Kscope bands should have no problems getting into. In fact, Paul recently announced that modern independent music distributor Burning Shed will be promoting P’dice, and a more fitting home for Paul’s music would be hard to imagine. All he needs now is a contract from main Burning Shed suppliers Kscope as that label is probably where he would feel most at home, so if anyone at Kscope Towers reads this, do give P’dice a listen!

 Read Review at DPRP.net

P'dice Awarded 5 Stars @ Sea Of Tranqulity

Paul (Q) Cusick returns early 2012 with his second album entitled P'dice. In Paul's own words P'dice is "short for prejudice" or like it says in the booklet, "The Personal Possession Of A Random Prejudice".

Prejudice is something we all are guilty of in one way or another, at least enough to inspire one of Britain's finest multi instrumentalists in making this album.

As with the first album Focal Point, Paul has done most of the work himself. Writing the lyrics and music, producing and mixing. In recording the drums Paul has had the help of two of the worlds most famous drummers, Marco Minnemann and Gavin Harrison. Both excellent musicians therefore a perfect fit with Paul.

Producing an album these days is very very difficult. To ensure the making of the album, Paul has asked his fans to help create the album. In helping him they could earn themselves a spot on the album sleeve. Looking at page two of the booklet he has a lot of fans.

On to the music because that is what the review is for. With Focal Point Q surprised us all, with his fine blend of emotional and melodic rock music. Placing Q's music is difficult. At first glance at all the tracks one learns that the musical genre is wide. Rock music in optima forma, you could call it progressive rock, emo rock, melodramatic rock. I don't know. I for one place his music in the progressive zone.

All tracks are blessed with a fine melody lines, and all of the songs are very well crafted. 10 tracks long nearly an hours worth of music. The album kicks off with a track appropriately entitled "Everything", from the start this track is rocking all over the place, instantly grabbing the listener, sitting in his chair saying "I want more" and you'll get more. In the next song Q replaces "rock, paper, scissors" with "God, Paper, Scissors". Thus making his own version of this "game" . Musically the theme reaches out to fellow dramatic songwriters from the past. Lots of influences of the old '70's great rock stars. Next up is the longest track on the album. Emphasising that Paul is very capable writer, "Borderlines" takes us on a trip through musical time and space. Influences of the great music by Vander Graaf Generator or Porcupine Tree or Genesis, just name any of the big stars from the past. In no way does Paul copy what they have done, on the contrary he uses his own sound and writing. The influences are only there in the way of the feel of the songs. Majestic, true music how music is supposed to sound, in my opinion. Not detailing too much, the whole album like I have said already is full of these excellent songs.

Is this P'dice or just my opinion, you tell me. I think it's a tremendously fabulous album. Well Done Paul.

The Dice of Life – P'dice

5 Stars - Gert Hulshof

Read Review On Sea Of Tranquility