To say that one of the most anticipated homegrown releases of this year doesn’t disappoint would be something of an understatement – for the Monaghan four-piece have delivered a near-masterpiece of the genre with this enthralling debut.
After The Wedding has everything – from the euphoric rush of opener ‘Talk Of The Town’ through the power-pop and country rock of ‘Slow Smiles And Perfume’, to the epic closer ‘Berlin’.
You’ll already be familiar with the mid-tempo single, ‘Futila’, which has a definite touch of Arcade Fire about it and is reason enough on its own to buy this. In a similar vein, but arguably boasting a stronger tune, ‘Weightless’ is another potential single among several more here.
Clever touches abound, such as the sampling of Pope John Paul II’s infamous “young people of Ireland” speech from Galway 30 odd years ago on ‘Croppies Acre’ which, with its insistent chugging guitars and Brandon Flowers-like vocal, is yet another winner. Meanwhile, the machine gun drum rolls on ‘Carnivore’ – another gem – is just one small example of the fine attention to detail that has gone into this record.
It sounds terrific too – the echo-laden vocals, chiming guitars, sweeping drums and pulsating bass all combine to create a lush, widescreen, dynamic texture.
Sure, they’re not doing anything radically different to a host of other guitar-based bands out there and there are shades of Interpol and Doves (and even The Killers and Snow Patrol) in their sonic approach. But the passion and intensity with which these guys deliver has to be heard to be believed (they’re touring soon – don’t miss them).
Destined to be a classic of its kind, After The Wedding is arguably the best Irish rock album since Whipping Boy’s Heartworm. Fabulous artwork too!