Boss Volenti? Perhaps I’m displaying my ignorance here, but it sounds like an associate of Tony Soprano’s. Or something you’d order in a restaurant. Or even a new brand of designer aftershave. But no, it’s the self-titled debut from the Dublin rock band who've recently been joined by former Therapy sticksman Graham Hopkins. How Dublin are they? Well, they recorded this in The Factory, and thank Joe Elliot and Tony Fenton on the sleeve.
Sounds a little suspect, but the recruitment of Hopkins is a good sign. Somewhat remarkably (for a drummer), Hopkins has kept himself both busy and credible in recent years, so you know he’s not going to hook up with any old bunch of leathery, long-haired chancers.
And of course he hasn’t. Frontman Rob Daly has an impressive and distinctive voice, and Dan O’Connor and Laura Mackey make all the right guitar noises. With Monsieur Hopkins banging up the rear, their sound is loud, fast and tight.
They kick off with the first single ‘Ain’t No Use’ and essentially keep on kicking until either it’s all over or your neighbours call the cops. The pace rarely lets up. I haven’t really investigated the lyrics; I’ve just been enjoying the noise. This isn’t especially progressive musically, but then I don’t think they want to be the Irish Radiohead.
On tracks like ‘Opposite Directions’ and ‘The Gun’, Boss Volenti amply demonstrate that they have what it takes to succeed in FM-land (second cut ‘Deeper Than Deep’ also features). This isn’t just radio friendly. This is radio intimate. Actually, at times this is practically shagging the radio. But I don’t mean that disparagingly. I’m not an especially huge fan of this type of music, but I recognise when it’s done well.
Their Irish tour is starting right around now and if you’re in the mood for a night of well crafted noise you need look no further. Meanwhile, their album – to use the Dub vernacular – is ‘boss’.