Polly Paulusma
Scissors In My Pocket (One Little Indian)
By Dean Ramos
Published: October 7th, 2004 | 12:02pm
As cliché as the acoustic guitar-carrying female singer-songwriter tag has become over the years, musicians like Polly Paulusma remind you that there are still a few out there who are capable of standing out above the rest. With an intelligence and radiance rarely heard, Paulusma still sings of the usual topics of life and love, but with an insight and a sentiment that's unique solely to her.
Throughout her full-length debut, Scissors In My Pocket , Paulusma simply exudes sweetness and melancholy on such tracks as "She Moves In Secret Ways" and "Anywhere From Here", but that hardly means she's a one or two-trick pony. The sultry jazz tune "One Day" and the torch number "Perfect 4/4" are just a couple of examples of how Paulusma's influences reach far beyond Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell. Sounding like a strange cross between Nikka Costa and Natalie Merchant, Paulusma even manages to channel a little Dusty Springfield on the soulful "Give It Back".
The most memorable number on Scissors In My Pocket has to be the stripped-down closer "Something to Remember Me By". Despite its threadbare instrumentation, the songs is full of longing with Paulusma's incredible voice filling the room, undoubtedly touching everyone within.
While the subject matter Paulusma covers is hardly anything groundbreaking, she expounds on it in a way that few do. If there's any justice in the world, Scissors In My Pocket should win her nothing short of a loyal and steadfast fanbase.
Issue #25
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