ABOUT THIS ITEM

The album is a tour de force that spans experimental noise, cabaret guitar/piano pop, stripped down gospel, electronic creeks and loops, walls of noise and Beatles-like melodies. Album opener (and title track) "Close to Paradise" floats in like a lush, southern breeze led by slide guitar and Patrick's haunting voice. Other highlight include the unspeakably pretty "The Great Escape", which sees just Patrick's voice and the piano stripped down to the bare bones of wide eyes yearning. "Weight of the World" comes across like a Balkans funeral waltz through Gotham City - as played by a 36 piece chamber orchestra, whilst tracks such as "Man Under The Sea" and "Giver" are pure pop perfection.