Hosted by Channel 6’s Michelle Doherty and Across The Line presenter David “Rigsy” O’Reilly, the second Choice Music Prize, set out to showcase the ten best albums of the previous year and, of course, to decide a winner.
‘Fitness’ has already clocked up a bit of airplay, and rightly so, it’s a sweet song with a lazy summer day feel (slightly out of context, I know) harbouring a dash of darkness to keep things interesting. Think Gem for intelligent womenfolk. And, if the two other tracks are anything to go by, the forthcoming album, Really Really Do
Indie’s latest pioneers from across the water adopt a stop-start formula for ‘About Your Dress’ that should ensure some feisty dancefloor shenanigans. Not only is the music top-notch but such lyrics as “I noticed you/You stood out like a sore thumb/the most beautiful sore thumb I’d ever seen” also ensures entertainment factor. I bet they wear t-shirts with funny stuff written on them.
“I want so much to open your eyes/’cos I need you to look into mine”. Seriously, who is Gary singing to? I like to think that the pin-up of Irish rock still writes his songs for someone in particular and that he isn’t just pulling at his many female fans’ heart-strings, especially when the predictable orchestral bit kicks in towards the end. If this is indeed the case, she’s a lucky lady. If not, shame on you Mr. Lightbody!
‘Skin Deep’ is the second single to be taken from Ann Scott’s oft over-looked sophomore album We’re Smiling and, while it may not be the most inventive song you’ve ever heard, you won’t be able to argue with its accessibility and charm.
‘Save Myself’ is an unassuming offering that criticiques our modern way of living in much the same way that ‘Oxygen’ did two years ago. If it were by any other artist it would get passed round friends under the radar of most radio stations and possibly disappear into oblivion, but in the hands of Mason, it politely demands attention. Bring on album No. 2, I say.
With ‘Suffer So Well’ Eleanor McEvoy takes a look at break-ups through Americana-tinted glasses. And boy does she go all the way on this one; never mind Gillian Welch, the Carter clan would be impressed by this. And then there’s the beautiful take on Marvin Gaye’s ‘Mercy Mercy Me’ that is as touching as it is innovative. If we call it ‘new blue grass’ do you think more radio stations would play it?
Strange to win a Hope For 2007 award after releasing a Top 20 album on a big international label – I’m guessing the ‘hope’ is that there’ll be a future for the Tipp sextet. For this to happen, they’re going to have to do a lot better than the rather bland ‘I’m Revived’. Their commendable live efforts just don’t come across on CD which means that while Paul Walshe begs you not to “saaaaaay it’s over yet” you kind of wish it never started.
The Radiators From Space delivered a classic debut album more than 20 years ago and then left us hanging. While Trouble Pilgrim, their return effort, has received resounding critical acclaim, ‘Heaven’ won’t be the track that makes a new generation stand up and take notice. This song has nothing wrong with it as such and is, in fact, a very good pop tune. It’s just not the most exciting thing I’ve heard since Ghostown.
To coincide with a tour supporting Bloc Party (only in Blighty – humph!), Metric, a Canadian quartet who often lend their lead singer Emily Haines to Broken Social Scene, are releasing this little gem of a T.U.N.E. from their 2005 release, Live It Out. ‘Empty’, the album’s opener, is reminiscent of BSS for the first minute or so as it floats along gently and inconspicuously, before raw and rockin’ energy breaks out of nowhere. If you already have the album, give yourself a pat on the back, and then get this for the b-side: a Howie B remix of ‘The Police And The Private’.
Messiah J And The Expert’s wonderfully titled Now This I Have To Hear (insert clever “Now this you have to hear” comment here) put rap firmly on the Dublin ‘Can do’ list.
While you won’t be jumping around the place shouting about roofs going up in flames with ‘Place Your Bets’, you will be very impressed by the lyrics, and more than a little excited about the production. Next up: Messiah J retires and The Expert develops his own clothing line.
‘Beau’ was pretty much made for daytime radio: good, clean guitar fun with a catchy chorus. Let’s hope the hard-working Dublin four-piece finally get some recognition with this one. And watch out for the b-side, a worthy attempt at Beach Boys’ harmonies – you’ll be itching for the repeat button.
Some people reckon we’ve enough male singer-songwriters on our hands on this wee isle, but thankfully both Eoin Coughlan and Bill Coleman break the mould. The former takes a bluesy/beachy route (accompanied by Damien Dempsey for this tune) while the latter employs a whole band to produce something not dissimilar to Bell X1. Move along Mr Rice– there’s some fresh talent to be heard.
Goodness! Isn’t it great to have a lead-singer that can actually sing? In Aoibheann Carey, Jodavino have struck gold – not only is she pleasing to the eye but her voice is as capable as it is captivating. ‘Some Love’ isn’t quite as rocked-out as it thinks it is, but it shows truck-loads of potential.
While this whole merging-electro-beats-with-rock thing may not be new, these days it’s big and, considering this is their debut EP, Channel One are looking pretty clever to me right now. ‘Rhythm And Purpose’ may be Permissions’ out-right winner, but all five tracks are of a very high calibre, including the more mellow ‘Beneath A Field Of Steel’ (not unlike Bloc Party’s ‘Luno’). This lot could go far, so just remember – I heard them before you.
With this, their third single, Director prove once again why their album reached No. 2 way-back-when in ’06 – although those clever enough to have seen them live won’t need any more evidence. Catchier than a cold in January, ‘Leave It To Me’ sees Michael Moloney’s distinctive voice (if you’ve never heard Joy Division, Interpol or Editors) plod along smoothly over controlled guitars and a no-nonsense drum rhythm, building up to a sing-along-tastic chorus – warning: may get stuck in head! – before turning up the guitars and going all rocky on us for a bit. While not outstanding, this does exactly what it says on Director’s tin: popular rock music.
He is best known as a musician and a songwriter, but Nick Kelly has a parallel career as a very successful advertising ‘creative’. So much so, that he was recently asked to be a judge at one of the advertising industry’s big international events, the annual Shark Awards.
You mightn't expect to find Ireland’s sharpest new indie talents tucked away in a rural abode, but that’s where The Immediate have decamped, ready to lead the fight against MySpace while making the punters dance.
He is the doyen of one-liners and one of the great physical comedians of the age. But don’t expect Emo Philips to crack up when conversation turns to the subject of Ireland’s roads.
With the laziest, most cowardly and most intellectually-flawed bills ever to pass into law in Ireland, the Government has criminalised countless thousands of Irish teenagers. It'd be a joke if it wasn't so horribly serious
It’s no surprise when Roesy opens his second Dublin gig with the title-song of his latest album, the soulful 'Colour Me Colourful'. What is unexpected however, is that he dedicates it to the Garda who just caught him breaking a red light in an effort to get to the venue on time.
There is many a haven for shunners of the Christmas Cheer like myself. Lots of lovely bands, singers, comedians and even hynotherapists are at hand to entertain the life out of us, and distract Santa while we throttle him. Right up to the New Year there’s so much going on you needn’t come home till Easter.
The National Age Card Scheme is a success, but a qualified one: it’s needlessly difficult to get one, and they aren’t, despite the name, accepted nationally. What’s a thirsty 18-year-old to do?
How nice to find myself sitting in the cosy and intimate venue of The Boom Boom Room, listening to a bit of smooth jazz sung by the kind of deep and controlled voice you only get in a setting like this
Alright, there’s more to student life than scrimping and saving – but a bit of it is the order of the day for the vast majority. Recent graduate Louise Hodgson has tips on that, and a whole lot more besides.
