When the two beloved young bucks from Limerick powerhouse Giveamanakick announced they were calling it a day in 2009, the gig-going Irish population was, well, distraught. It came as something of a consolation when Steveamanakick, now going by the considerably less elaborate name of Steve Ryan, announced an album with his side project Windings – an altogether subtler outfit comprised of four blokes, three guitars, two voices and one drum kit.
It’s Never Night begins in a bit of a poppy whirl, with a handful of catchy, plugged-in tunes. Single ‘Brain Fluid’ boasts a giddy rock bounce while ‘Poor In The Mouth’ is blessed with a spot-on Thin Lizzy shuffle. And this is just Level One of Windings’ charm.
‘Apologia’ kicks off a more intimate part of the album, calling to mind Square 1-era David Kitt. ‘You Did’ has it all; an irresistibly vintage bass line, a great soft punk chorus and a stone cold groove. Atmospheric acoustic number ‘I Can’t Breathe’ hits like a punch to the gut – ghostly, beguiling; an absolutely perfect love song.
Key Track: ‘You Did’