Album Review: Eileen Gogan - Spirit of Oberlin

Former singer with early ’90s Irish outfit The Would Be’s, Eileen Gogan has more recently seen live and studio action with the acclaimed Dublin outfit The Drays.

With her own band, The Instructions, her solo debut mines similar indie guitar-pop territory: the seven self-penned tunes make for a short but sweet listening experience.
‘Nothing’s For Certain’ is all sparkling guitars, understated keyboard textures and Gogan’s clear vocals, which are refreshingly devoid of affectation. Gorgeously melodic, the harmonies and brushstroke snare rhythms combine to make for a very strong opener.

More rocking and jangly, ‘Far Out Friend’ weaves its magic with a rush of guitars and an insistent rhythm. And ‘Murmuration’ may or may not be an offhand reference to REM’s debut. Not that it resembles Stipe & Co’s erstwhile outfit – built around a sinewy bass riff, an insistent beat and a hazy, hypnotic melody it grooves along nicely. Elsewhere, there’s a distantly local flavour to the vocal stylings on ‘You’re No Good’, a hook-laden tune with a Tom Petty-ish feel.

‘Dream Time’ is the most ‘60s-ish tune here – a heady blend of The Byrds (‘So You Want To Be a Rock And Roll Star’) and Teenage Fanclub, with hints of Blue Oyster Cult’s ‘Don’t Fear The Reaper’. Mellow and blissed-out, the final track ‘Day Of Respite’ boasts yet another strong vocal performance from Gogan. Impressive.

Key Track: ‘Nothing’s For Certain’

Out Now

7/10