Loss

Modern technology has been the making of many a contemporary pop act. David Kitt, Drugstore and David Gray have all released critically lauded albums based on songs culled from 4-track recorders.

Colin McIntyre, Mull Historical Society mainman, spent 15 years writing and recording over 300 tunes at home.

Unsurprisingly – given the amount he had to choose from – the rerecorded selection on debut offering, Loss, proves strong in the ideas department. Original, likeable melodies shine out from each of the eleven tracks, while quirky, stream-of-consciousness lyrics add extra dimension and depth.

The best songs are the most straightforward ones. On standout track, ‘Mull Historical Society’, the rhythmic Spanish-style guitar is vibrant and uplifting. Album opener, ‘Public Service Announcer’, showcases a nursery rhyme-like melody which nicely complements McIntyre’s wry, amusing vocal delivery.

Unfortunately, most of the tunes lack restraint. While the first single, ‘Barcode Bypass’, contains the guts of a really beautiful song, the band’s overblown orchestrations and pointless meanderings deaden its impact. Nearly every track on the album goes on for far too long. Almost always, the end is packed full with horribly chintzy, over-the-top effects.

The quality of the songs’ production and execution is also poor. The instruments – most of which are played by McIntyre – sound as though they are competing for space, rather than counterbalancing each other.

That said, some fine quality is present in the songwriting. Next time perhaps, McIntyre will do his ideas justice.

Imaginative but patchy.