Paul Kameen is an interesting case. I was browsing his website and he is retired from his work life. It looks as if he was a professor, a published author and he dabbled in poetry as well. Songwriting and playing music in general however is a new endeavor. He wrote his first song two years ago. Although I’m younger then Kameen I wrote my first song around twenty-five years ago and I know that this is perhaps a new creative journey that has just begun for him.
On his release The Kiss which is a complete DIY effort he keeps it simple and subtle. The EP consists of light strumming or picking and singing that is barely above a whisper. It’s intimate, soft, warm and at times reminded me of Cat Stevens. The album starts with “That's How I Feel” which is simply a heartfelt love song. There is really no ambiguity here. Kameen sings, “You're my sun you're my sky you're my moon you're my eye you're my reason why.” Up next is the reflective “Just Stopped By to Say Hi.” It was all about the lyrics for me. Similar to the first song it seems to come directly from the heart. “All the Way to the Fool in Me” continues the themes of love and reflection while the song “Miracles” brings to mind the topics and themes John Lennon did in his song “God.” “If It's Enough for You” has its moments and although Kameen is talking about rocking in the song “Rockin' with You” it’s not about a wild night out drinking. “Let's say . . . Maybe” and “All That's Left of You” are solid songs as well. Kameen has one particular vibe and mood down pat - perhaps too much so where the songs feel interchangeable. I think some of the next steps for Kameen would be to discover more about dynamics and being able to shift mood in a song. Additionally, more advanced picking techniques and even more instrumentation should be something he should think about that could add layers of emotional depth. All things considered I think Kameen is accomplished for two years in. The songs are well written; I liked the earnest nature of the songs and I thought the lyrics were emotionally resonant. I look forward to hearing his evolution.
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