CD Review of...

Nick Smith

Paradise EP

By :Sharon Chapman

                            This is my life

                            This is paradise

    Oklahoma City native Nick Smith is turning heads and capturing attention with his debut release, "Paradise EP."  The six-song EP is an acoustic recording that features Smith's melodic style and soulful lyrics.

    The Oklahoma State University business student's lyric-driven tunes sneak up on you and get "underneath the skin" and into your head.  Puns aside, the track, "Underneath the Skin" captures the emotion of a relationship that hits you hard before you even realize it.  "Coming to Your World," "For You" and "Thought for Thought" are simple yet sincere tunes that capture the emotion of discovering love in this less than perfect world.  "Priceless" reminds us not to get so lost in the hectic pace of our lives that we forget to notice what's right in our world.

     It's the title song, though, that commands the most notice.  "Paradise" is a microcosm of the entire EP; the upbeat musings of a young man who realizes, despite exhaustion and the demands of daily life, that the rewards of sincere love make everything worthwhile.  "This is my life.  This is paradise."

    The promising newcomer has taken this semester off from school for his first national tour.  Afterward, Smith plans to return to the studio to record a CD of new music.  "Paradise EP" may prove to be your opportunity to follow the evolution of a musical talent in progress.

www.tunedinmusic.com