Christian Bookshop

A collaboration between Jimmy Monaghan (Music For Dead Birds) and Aisling Walsh, the brilliantly-named Christian Bookshop are an acoustic folk duo in the classic mode, with a decidedly lo-fi approach. With just the sparest of backing, these ten songs, recorded over a two-week period in a Co. Mayo pantry (it’s true!), showcase a burgeoning talent. While claiming influences as different as Simon & Garfunkel and Bright Eyes, there are also definite echoes of Elliot Smith on plaintive tunes such as ‘Singin’ Freebird’, ‘Stay Clean’ and ‘Sleeping In Bars’. Elsewhere ‘A Million Stars’ and the aptly-named ‘Folk Singer’ recall Iron & Wine, with hints of Fleet Foxes in the textural harmonies department. There is real substance here...