Paul Thomas Saunders is a rarity. His voice is both powerfully emotive and heartbreakingly delicate. Evoking Elvis Perkin’s on his biographical debut album, there’s a depth and introspective feel to the lyrics coupled with a distinguished, breathtaking vocal. Live with backing band, ‘The Fever Dreams’, it’s akin to Villagers in its ability to be dramatic and gentle simultaneously. The reverb-soaked guitars and softly stroked drums a perfect backdrop to Paul Thomas Saunders shy, elusive stage presence, both of which create an ambience that’s captivating during and a long time afterwards.
It explains the wave of excitement and subsequent flurry of reviews across blogs and music press after seeing Paul Thomas Saunders and The Fever Dreams various small support slots – Blue Roses, Low, Villagers, Joan As Police Woman, Patrick Watson and Forest Fire, as well as an opening slot at Leeds Live festival in 2010, followed by a prime evening spot this year – and the interest in his self-released debut EP ‘Four Songs in Twilight’, which culminated in tracks being included on the compilation releases of influential indie labels Dance to the Radio and Dead Young Records.
