Irlish

What’s eating Gilbert O’Sullivan these days? He might have had his troubles with the music industry and the media in the past but why does he continue to harbour so much bitterness and resentment? On the back of Irlish, printed in bold type are the following lines

taken from his song, ‘Me’: “You can’t make music at your age/Unless of course it’s dung/Well balls to those who take that view/Especially if they’re young.”

What’s that all about then? Does he really believe that anyone who happens to be younger than him has no right to reject his music, regardless of its quality?

He’s certainly written his share of pop gems in the past but in recent years the muse seemed to have has deserted him. Which makes, ‘Have It’ the opening track and current single from Irlish something of a return to form. A pleasant, if lightweight McCartney-esque ballad with an engaging melody and chorus it’s received much deserved airplay. No less catchy, if a tad more soulful, ‘Don’t I Know It’ could have been written with the Bee Gees in mind while, ‘How I Say I Love You’ isn’t bad either. Sadly the rest doesn’t really match up. The naff 1980’s -sounding programmed synthesisers on the ‘Passport Photos’ seem pointless while ‘Water Music’, cleverly utilises the rhythmic sound of splashing water – a good idea in theory but hardly making for unforgettable listening. ‘Two’s Company (three’s allowed)’, like the album’s title relies too heavily on the “cleverness” of the title. Meanwhile the up-tempo ‘Easier Said Than Done’ would’ve benefited from a little more muscle in the instrumental department or to put in another way – a half-decent band.