Dara is a noisy bastard. Think ELO with Baby Bird Jones vocals, a solid if conventional rocking band, a Bangle or two to leaven the mix of sumptuous strings and a blustering stadium rock ethos, and you’ve got half an idea as to what your ears can expect from The Eye Of The Clock . The Dubliner and former Jack L sideman has emerged with a provocative debut which ably demonstrates his talent for classy exuberant pop songs of depth and staying power, but he’s still a noisy bastard.

Opener ‘The Way’ sets the agenda for the remaining hour, with it’s obese overwrought strings, captivating vocals, beguiling melodies and it’s swaggering rock bluster. ‘Prayer’ is less anthemic, propelled into battle by a relentless, martial snare drum. ‘Fade Away’ promises a more restrained approach until it too builds and soars before making way for the plaintive ‘Name For Your Pain’ with its murmuring cellos.

‘Fallow’ is aptly named, mere album filler fodder nearly redeemed by some decent squalling guitar. Tantalising strings then usher in ‘On Me’, an invigorating performance that demands repeated plays. Sadly, ‘Damage’ is preposterously Verve-ish, and the strings don’t work other than to smother a decent tune. ’70’ is The Corrs with a few extra balls, but ‘Think Big’ is dreadful and turgid, ‘100 Voices’ is ELO gone mental on an Irish trad melody sung anaemically and suitable only for Americans with bad trousers. But ‘2000 Voices’ is as warm an ending to an album you could wish for, even if it does owe big bucks to mid-period U2.

Dara needs to be weaned off his tendency to overuse orchestral stylings and toss in several kitchen sinks at every possible opportunity. Sometimes less is enough. In the meantime, click on ‘very promising’. Like a good wine, Dara will improve with age.