A Cabinet of Curiosities/Happy Families

by Paul Roland

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Full Digital Discography

34

releases

Get all 34 Paul Roland releases available on Bandcamp and save 45%.

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of 1992 Dutch Radio Session, A Grimm Fantasy For Orchestra (demo), Nosferatu (Gothic ballet music only), A Face In The Crowd, (My Dog Is Hooked On) Cocaine with Andy Ellison, Candyman (bandcamp exclusive EP), In Memory of a Time Traveller (unreleased early mix), Lair of the White Worm (unreleased version), and 26 more. , and , .

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1.	Madhouse 01:46	buy track
2.	Wyndham Hill 04:06	buy track
3.	Jumbee 02:37	buy track
4.	Gary Gilmore's Eyes 01:58	buy track
5.	Burn 02:32	buy track
6.	Walter The Occultist 03:30	buy track
7.	Stranger Than Strange 01:47	buy track
8.	Demon In A Glass Case 03:03	buy track
9.	The Curate of Cheltenham 03:03	buy track
10.	Journey To The Pole 04:04	buy track
11.	Nursery Crimes 02:09	buy track
12.	Cousin Emilia 03:10	buy track
13.	Builder of Follys 02:58	buy track
14.	The Best Years of Our Lives 03:02	buy track
15.	Aunty 02:04	buy track
16.	Animal Crackers 02:20	buy track

about

'One of the best albums you've never heard' Rolling Stone

Lewis Carroll would have loved it...

As an admirer of Lewis Carroll, I think this is the perfect soundtrack to the Victorian society and an amazing portrait of what could be hidden behind the most respectable mask (or should I say "Masque"?)
Paul Roland is a true storyteller and his voice, along with a perfect choice of instruments, guide us among the true essence of some of the most weird, odd and dangerous characters and places that Carroll disguised as Rabbits, animated cards and chess pieces, Queens and Kings, talking flowers...but with Roland they finally show their real features....HUMAN features, and that's the reason why they are even more catchy and scaring. The music is catchy too, very catchy, but often it turns into something dark, gothic, and the strings and keyboards that we considered friends began suddenly threatening. Nevertheless we CAN'T leave...we MUST go on because we want to see what's going to happen next, and what the bizarre, pathetic, lovely, disgusting (you be the judge) of each song is going to do.
The lyrics are poignant, funny, grotesque and the plot is unpredictable. The ending is always a surprise. Roland's melodies are beautiful : they would work even played with a simple acoustic guitar. The last track, STRANGER THAN STRANGE (that always reminded me of Alice's "Curiouser and Curiouser") is the perfect conclusion. Just like Alice, the character finds himself among plants, trees and flowers that come alive; and they are all but friendly. He finally manages to escape, but he's left with the sensation that everything is STRANGER THAN STRANGER. Those two albums on a single CD are a must! (Francesco Micozzi, Italy review on CD baby)

Edwardian Pop Masterpieces
Absolutely Unique! These are two perfect products of one of the most incredibly original storytellers of underground pop of all times! Particularly fascinating the narrative use of the strings and the ability in writing complex gothic or edwardian tales for a folk-pop structure. If they mention Barrett or Cope or Hitchcock to explain Paul's music, that's not completely true... Paul remains absolutely unique, and these two mini-lps are the definitive proof... Find were Smog and other dark-folk gurus have found some inspiration! (Davide Torino, Italy review from CDbaby)

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released January 2, 2019

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about

Paul Roland England, UK

Formerly managed by June Bolan, Paul has been spinning supernatural and historical-themed tales against a backdrop of gothic rock, psych-pop and baroque strings, earning him the sobriquet, ‘The Male Kate Bush' (attributed to former label mate Robyn Hitchcock) ... more

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Paul Roland recommends:

Robyn Hitchcock
by Robyn Hitchcock

I shared a label with the Soft Boys back in the early 80s and was seduced by 'Underwater Moonlight' on first hearing. Privileged to have Robyn guest on my 'The Puppet Master' and 'Mad Elaine'). Paul Roland
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London Stone
by Bevis Frond

This man never releases a weak album. Love them all. Heavy stoner rock to whimsical psych, bursting at the seams with strong songs and totally wired psych guitar. A killer, no filler. Paul Roland
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Bolan's Litterbox
by T.Rex

For almost 50 years Marc inspired and energised me. Privileged to have been managed at one time by June and to have written 4 biogs - trying to capture what made him my main man. Paul Roland
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