Roessler, Paul
The Turning Of The Bright World
With a career dating back to his teenage years as one of the keyboardists in L.A. proto-punk legends Screamers, Paul Roessler soon became the go-to keyboardist within the L.A. punk scene, eventually branching out to include work with acts as varied as Nina Hagen, 45 Grave, Mike Watt, Nervous Gender and Mark Curry, as well as leading his own group Twisted Roots alongside Pat Smear (Foo Fighters) and his sister Kira (Black Flag). Roessler in more recent years has become equally in demand for his production skills, helming the L.A.-based studio Kitten Robot which grew into the boutique label of the same name with long-time musical partner Josie Cotton. All through the years, Roessler has been recording his singular brand of solo material, and now with Kitten Robot in full flight, is finally releasing a full-length on CD and streaming. The Turning... hits many touchstones, from introspective singer/songwriter piano ballads ("Possibility of Psychic Phenomenon") to lushly orchestrated mid-tempo pieces like "The Last Time My Head Was Right." An introspective work overall, Roessler also includes the guitar-based rock of "A Quiet Night on the Mooncam" and the irresistible if deceptively upbeat "Maker." His loyal and steadily growing Bandcamp following with find much to like here. "'The Turning of the Bright World' is an album without a weakness. That isn't saying it's the best album ever made. What I'm suggesting is that it stays within itself in terms of scope and tone. Trust me, the scope and tone are fantastic." L.A. Beat