Album Review: Cronin The First Kiss Of Love

Mullingar-based Cronin used to be a mod-inspired act known as The Aftermath. That was then. Leeds/Irish brothers Johnny and Mick Cronin have lately enlisted Brian Murphy and Fiachra Miller into the fold and totally revamped their sound.
Three years in the making, this debut album was recorded in their own Transmission Rooms studio, with long-term collaborators Ger McDonnell and Karl Odlum, and string arranger Terry Edwards.
Cronin plainly aren’t looking to reinvent the wheel here: The First Kiss Of Love is unashamedly retro-sounding. And they know their rock history: there are touches of Tindersticks, Dexys, Roxy Music and Echo and the Bunnymen on some of the songs. But they also go beyond those influences to make a noise that is distinctly Cronin’s: Johnny’s voice is a many-faceted wonder – it’s meant as a compliment when I say that he’d be great at karaoke – and the playing is impeccably tight throughout.     
The boys have also enlisted some famous friends, who join the musical party with gusto. Shane MacGowan contributes a few of his trademark yowls, BP Fallon spookily delivers a John Donne poem, modfather ‘Irish’ Jack Lyons reflects on a long lost love, Steve Wickham of The Waterboys contributes atmospheric fiddle on some tracks, and JJ72’s Mark Greaney collaborates on a memorable cover of ‘Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart’.
As anyone who’s seen them play live will attest, Cronin have a lot going for them. With this impressive paean to their rock ‘n’ roll heroes, they have set a new benchmark. This one could be a stayer.
_Out Now//Olaf Tyaransen