Bishop & Mulholland

There is only one way to describe the sound of Bishop & Mulholland. Techno or, to quote todays terminology, "Electro Soul". Bishop & Mulholland is the brain child of one man named "Paul Dirks". This is one of the most talented men of any music genre. And, if you think that you can pigeon hole him into just one way of creating his music? "NOT"!!! He has something for everyone who takes the time to listen to his new CD called Essays and Ear Candy: It's a bit of "Pop", It's a bit of "Hip Hop", It's a bit of "Electro Slide", It's please give me that dance floor one more time Miss Donna Summer.

This musician, and great songwriter has captured the entire essence of a forgotten era of a musical movement, and turned it into a musical palate for your ears that stays in your head long after each song has finished playing. You will find that you keep repeating his material over, and over in your mind so much so, that you have to just keep talking yourself out of breaking into a long ago disco dance in the middle of Wal-Mart anywhere USA:

I'm not too sure if it is the way he so masterfully winds his synthesizing expertise throughout his entire project here. The songs on this CD will take the listener on a mental journey if you are among the baby boomers like some of us are. And, it is in that musical journey he takes you on that makes you wish you never had to come back. When I listen to "Essays and Ear Candy", I am reminded of David Bowie, and Pink Floyd, and my comparison list could go on for a very long time here.

Paul Dirks truly has created himself one masterpiece here to be very proud of for many years to come. Paul also seems to be a very profound lyricist as well, and this is proven on his songs such as the number four track titled, "Babylon". This song is short, and to the point. There is no guess work here as to what the author of this song is trying to say here. There is no grey areas on this tune whatsoever. However, what makes it so great is the music that Paul has woven in, and out of the words of the song itself. Therefore, the lyrics end up carrying the music instead of the music carrying such a short amount of lyrics.

Now his lyrics get to be even more profound on the number five track titled, "Thrill Of The Chase". Anyone over the age of eighteen can relate to this self reflection song. Paul describes what the human mind comes to terms with about staying one step ahead of ourselves within. The "Chase", ends up being yourself trying to stay that one formidable step ahead of yourself, and keep you from doing something that you probably will regret doing at some point in time.

I personally believe the most "Prolific Song" on this CD is track number seven titled; "Labour Of Love". This song reaches down to the very depths of your soul, and stirs up every ounce of buried pain that lives within, but, we all try our best to keep in a dormant state because, we truly do not want to face that kind of pain. This song brings to surface all of the scars that have remained inside of each man or, woman who has had to take anothers life in the act of "War". I don't believe I have ever heard another more honest, and heartfelt song before in all of my forty years in this music industry. "Labour Of Love", should be the anthem song for all nations that have had to go to war, and fight just so you; my readers, and I, can be here on this New Years Eve so, we too can say that none of our loved ones died in vain. They all died in a "Labour Of Love" for all of their families to have freedom as we all know it today:

I want to thank Mr. Paul Dirks for allowing me to review his CD on this my last CD Review of my very long career in doing this as part of my job. - MzMona

Bishop & Mulholland’s Essays and Ear Candy is definitely an eclectic listening experience. One part electronica, one part pop soul, one part techno party; it never seems to want to touch down, keeping the listener firmly planted in mid-air.

Truth be told, as we don’t review a lot of music from this particular genre...All I know is, I like what I hear.

Paul Dirks, the man behind Bishop & Mulholland, recalls such singers as David Bowie...His voice is ethereal and crooning, mixing nicely with the liquid beats he has created, especially on such tracks as “Thrill of the Chase” and “Among The Myrtle.”

The really cool thing about this album is the subtle poetry...It’s very easy to miss the message laced in the dance beats and overall calming vibe of the album. But, it’s palpable if you’re willing to look for it.

For text of the full review: http://thechristianmanifesto.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/bishop-mulhollands-essays-and-ear-candy-a-review/ - CE Moore- The Christian Manifesto

Back To The 80s With...Bishop & Mulholland

As a committed christian the Devil's blog is a strange place for Bishop & Mulholland producer and vocalist Paul Dirks but the Devil's blog is a broad church!

Paul wears his love for big and brassy synthesizer lead lines and early 80s British electro pop on his sleeve. Unashamedly retro B&M sound like a marriage of convenience between Depeche Mode and Seal with Moby as chief bridesmaid.

His debut album the eclectic, 'Essays and Ear Candy' has just been released on Datanaut Records so dig out the shoulder pads and lace gloves and get ready to bust some retro moves.

- The Devil Has The Best Tuna