Album Review: Kean Kavanagh, The County Star

Man, I love so much about this record. From the off, the Americana & Irish-fused alloy of ‘Texas Tea’ is marvellously original. In just a couple of minutes, Kean Kavanagh vividly draws a line in the sonic dirt – unique, melodic and erudite – before jetting off on a heartland rock epic, worthy of The War On Drugs or Springsteen.

Into ‘45s’ we squall, a song laced with GAA references – as brilliant as it is individual. ‘Time Goes By’ is a lo-fi, anti-folk, Beck-reminiscent gem; while ‘The Whistle’ provides something of a Damo-infused counterpoint, equal in excellence, and fabulously encompasses The Sunday Game theme tune.

For those who haven’t been following the capers of Peter McGann’s Portlaoise Elvis character, Pa ‘The Hips’ Campion, you simply must. The Kojaque & Robert Bass-directed, multi-part video series is wonderful. So good, in fact, its most recent instalment almost detracts from the brilliance of ‘A Cowboy Song’.

Every town, village and parish has its own version of Pa Campion, and indeed needs one. Unfortunately, things don’t end well for old Pa, but ‘Fr. Brown’s’ is Kavanagh’s fine ode to the fallen warrior; crushed county football dreams; the 1578 Massacre of Mullaghmast; and Irish immigration – now that’s juxtaposition!

‘Melting’ is a wonderful piece of pop-folk confection, while ‘Anyway’ commences with a chant of ‘When The Saints Go Marching In’ and some damn fine guitar playing. Elsewhere, title track ‘The County Star’ wraps up this tremendous record with a ragged, Townes Van Zandt-doused lament.

Mighty stuff.

9/10

Out now