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Category: Music Review

  • Ciaran Lenehan: It’s Never Too Late EP Review

    CiaranLenehan Having played with artists like Wallis Bird, Damien Dempsey and Frank Turner, Ciaran Lenehan has now released his debut, It’s Never Too Late.

    Lenehan’s acoustic led music takes a couple of listens. During the first half of the first track on the EP, ‘Too Late’, it seems like the vocals are slightly disjointed from the song, giving a slight uneasy feeling to this listener. When the full sound of the track kicks in, the music is well produced but the slightly shouty vocals don’t let me warm to the track.

    ‘You Stole Today’, is much more together than its predecessor and tips a hat at some Britpop influences. It’s a mid tempo track. I can’t help but wonder why this wasn’t chosen as the lead track. The EP ends with ‘Wake Up’, starting with just an acoustic guitar, giving Lenehan a chance to showcase his voice, which surprises me, given the impact the first track. The track then builds up to a full band sound. I like this a lot.

    Two out of three aint bad, especially when this is Lenehan’s first recording. What he needs to do now is concentrate on honing his sound and how the music is mixed to get himself his own unique sound. Decent effort.

  • Storyfold: Rocket Science Review

    storyfold-rocket-scienceStoryfold don’t waste anytime hooking you into their debut album ‘Rocket Science’. ‘Ciara, Don’t Be Angry’ starts proceedings with a catchy driving bassline before Paddy McKenna’s vocals kick in. By the chorus, the band have introduced the listener to all the trademarks of their sound, solid drumming and bass, and clever guitar lines. What sets them apart though is their use of keys and Lindsey Hogan’s harmonies.

    Track two on the album though, has Lindsey on lead vocals and the exchange of lead vocals on ‘The Sweetest Silence’ works really well, reminding this listener of the vocal exchange between Simon Carmody & Maria McKee on The Golden Horde’s ‘Friends in Time’.

    The album was produced by Greg Havers (Manics, Lost Prophets) and the band’s songs are complimented by his lush production, building up tracks beautifully and including what can only be described as gorgeous string arrangements. The Dublin based quintet have been together for just over a year and seem to have been recording and demoing since their inception. They write memorable songs and cross genres which makes them extremely marketable. They are indie rock but these productions make their sound huge and fit for bigger stages. (more…)

  • Paul Shevlin: Backfire (Set Them All Alight) Review

    Paul ShevlinI don’t think I’d heard of Paul Shevlin until his disc landed on my desk. Realistically, a lot of first releases tend to be a let down, releasing material a tad too early can be an artist’s downfall.

    With Backfire (Set Them All Alight) there isn’t that problem at all. Released on DiDiMau Records the single shows Paul Shevlin to be a competent musician and songwriter of piano led indie rock. From the offset, it’s full steam ahead, where Shevlin has a distinct advantage here is that his music and style will cross markets and genres. While his press release says he has played with Duke Special, his sound could easily be stretch to the pop punk market. This is quite apparent during the first verse of Backfire.  It’s a nicely produced, radio friendly track with some great subtle brass sounds. Melikes.  (more…)

  • Noah and The Whale: Live at The Academy Review

    noah and the whale 1Getting tickets for Noah and The Whale, I thought their sound was pretty inoffensive folk rock and would be a nice way to finish off the weekend as the gig was on a Sunday (May 8th). Despite good reviews of their Whelan’s show, five weeks prior, I wasn’t expecting too much.

    Exlovers had the job of warming up the growing audience with their brand of shoegaze pop. The London quintet seemed to have a little bit of an off night, admitting that they felt weezy after their ferry ride over. Long gaps between songs for tuning meant that any momentum the band built up was gone within seconds.

    They don’t have a bad sound though with nice male lead vocals backed up with a female harmony line. ‘Just a Silhouette’ just a good response but most memorable track of the night was the single ‘Blowing Kisses’. The deserve another look before passing judgement. (more…)