The quaint American custom of paying people to plug your records has never caught on in Ireland, although a band manager is once reputed to have offered Larry Gogan a packet of cigarettes (Larry told him where to stick the offending articles). So all hail Yeh Deadlies for sending me their new The Snow Joke EP with a lollipop and a packet of Jelly Tots. But then they do have members called Johnny Quagmeire and Jonny Fun, so maybe normal rules don’t apply. The rockabilly-based ‘Mount Street Blues’ comes with delicious female harmony vocals and an endearing jolly vibe. ‘Snow Theme’ is a total contrast, putting one in mind of the soundtrack to a short Albanian cartoon. ‘Sniper Wishlist (Snowman Song)’ is a jaunty sleigh-ride of a ditty that opens with the line, “Come down the stairs. It’s fit for polar bears”, and has a reference to a “fucking snowman”. Uplifting stuff, but next time, how about some Maltesers?
Fergal Nash from Limerick has a new CD that is well-recorded, with his guitar sounding really forceful. That said, the double-tracking of his voice can’t hide its failure to hold a tune. Acoustic pop-rock songs like ‘Observations’ score big on the lyrics front but need work in the music department. Meanwhile, ‘Balancing Act’ offers nothing that record’s first two tracks didn’t tell us. Time to face the harsh reality, Fergal. You write interesting songs but you need somebody else to sing them.
The Tripps from Enniscorthy have adapted to the recession by downsizing to a quartet. They have an album on the horizon and in Carole Wood a dynamic vocalist who oozes sass and confidence. ‘Crossed Wires’ is a sturdy pop-rock track with full-on guitars and more than a sonic nod to Blondie. ‘Girls On TV’ ups the energy a notch for a lyric that takes a swipe at women who get by on their visual appeal when they have no talent. It’s hardly an original topic, but it’s encouraging to see a young band dealing with real issues rather than vague Jack loves Jill blandness. They gig a lot, so watch out for them.
Maria Byrne is from Cork but lives in London. Many of her songs are based on overhearing other people’s conversations, so I hope they don’t come after her for royalties. ‘It’s Just Me’ blends the lightness of ‘50s pop with a cute melody, Byrne’s delicious voice and a tinkling glockenspiel adding to the laidback joviality. ‘Jack’ is a more folksy offering, about a love who might or might not be as genuine as he seems, and delivered with an attractive sense of whimsy and a singalong feel. The more uptempo ‘All You Need’ was shortlisted for the John Lewis Christmas TV commercial (but was beaten by The Beatles!). It has echoes of Spektor and confirms Byrne as a talent to be reckoned with.
Red Brick House from Sligo are a nifty four-piece who blend the best of Cornershop and some Arctic Monkeyisms to produce a healthy slice of contemporary indie pop-rock. ‘Daydream’ is a charmingly poppy song that will have your feet gettin’ jiggy with it, and you may find yourself inclined to sing along too. The deceptive ‘Oh Angel’ throbs with style and Patrick Leydon’s voice carries it well as it builds the tension steadily but remorsefully. The laid-back ‘Rescue Me’ has a casual debonair swagger akin to the Leisure Society, with Leydon’s aching vocal on top. Here’s a band that blends quality with some unapologetic commercialism.