The Americana talent pool is currently very, very full of fish. And rightly so, seeing as it demands its own title, based loosely on a subset of American folk and alterative country music. One fish that has really caught the bait is Doug Paisley, an artist who has been swimming the Americana pool for quite some time.From Toronto, Paisley is signed to No Quarter records and has toured alongside Bonnie “Prince” Billy under the name Dark Hand and Lamplight, a mixed media collaboration between him and artist Shary Bole. Bole was enlisted to create live drawings and animations whilst Paisley sang and played guitar. While this would suggest that what Paisley would next come out with would be of similar adventurous nature, his debut self-titled album is one of tradition and old time soul.Opening track 'What About Us' was featured in giveaway CD “New Harvest”, released in the July edition of MOJO magazine. Paisley’s track appeared alongside artists such as Iron & Wine, J Tillman and The Low Anthem, stabilising his arrival on the folk and alt country territory that the latter so dominate. And rightly so, as 'What About us' is easily one of the best songs on the album, as well as the opening track, with Paisley crooning about a love lost, accompanied by a piano and, judging by his slow-paced quiver, all the time in the world.A man and his forlorn heart can be either the making of a tragedy or a success. The simplicity of Paisley’s song writing is reflective of those who over the decades have made their forlorn stature work to the favour of their music - standing the test of time with uncomplicated melodies and straightforward lyrics. 'Digging In The Ground' needs nothing but a prolonged piano opening, Paisley’s southern-esque drawl and the melancholic backing vocals of Simone Schmidt for it to sound like something you could have fallen in love with 50 years ago.'We Weather' allows Schmidt to flaunt her enchanting vocals and inject them with a country-twang as her and Paisley embark on one of the albums many duets, singing about bearing weathering sunshine and storms, spending “cold nights together, we stay close and warm”. A song not a world away from something you could picture Johnny and June Carter-Cash performing, Paisley and Schmidt literally ooze nostalgia, like a sentimental chicken kiev.Likened to Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy’s debut album I See A Darkness, and often musically comparable to Ryan Adams’ Heartbreaker, Paisley’s debut is a recipe cooked up especially for those who like their music uncontrived and sincere. Being Canadian and viewing the Americana movement from outside may give Paisley an advantage, as one of the many charms of his debut is that he does not attempt to create something bafflingly original or disassociate himself from the work of other artists.Instead he writes what he knows will undoubtedly sound good, even if it does repeat what other artists have been doing for decades. However despite the familiarity, Paisley has still created an album that will warm your ears as much as it does your heart. And that is commendable.Doug Paisley on Myspace