Without any help from either The Messengers or The Coloured Girls,
Paul Kelly's
Post is a modest album to say the least, and as his third release it is evident that this Aussie loves his homeland. With regional reference titles like "From St. Kilda to King's Cross" and "Adelaide," his inclusion of cities and towns seem to gather too much detail, familiar to only those who reside down under. All is not lost though, and there are a few bright spots that represent
Kelly's shy, humble address and low-key demeanor. "Incident on South Dowling" is another one of his tongue-in-cheek character-based songs in which a man fails to save his choking girlfriend, then is blacklisted as a murderer. While the theme is serious, he adds humor to certain lines in a style all his own. While he focuses on life's daily tragedies and tribulations, there is a missing element in the music, as it lacks any vigor or flash. Both
Steve Connoly and Michael Barclay, who are members of the Coloured Girls, help out on the album, but
Kelly still hasn't reached full bloom with
Post. This album serves as an interesting building block in his career, since fans will be able to notice his philosophical teachings along with his early pub sound begin to unfold here. ~ Mike DeGagne