Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Some good ideas on this nine-track debut release from singer/songwriter Paul Marriott. The acoustic tracks are certainly more Paul's style and songs of note are the mandolin-driven "Heart Cry" and "Pure Love" which are very much in the Jars Of Clay vein. The faster songs tend to lack a little something but Rob Blackman does provide some nice lead guitar work throughout, On the whole, the album is hampered and restricted by below par production and an unbalanced mix. Paul's lack of vocal strength and his tendency to rush his words makes his God-centred lyrics very hard to decipher without the aid of the well designed inlay card. By developing his vocal delivery and taking his material to a producer with the experience and studio facilities to provide some fresh ideas, Paul could really make a go of the songs featured on 'Cut Wide Open'.

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