The Language Of Everyday Life

IN MOTION: “The Language Of Everyday Life” (Dead Elvis Records)

FANS OF RTE’s No Disco will be familiar with In Motion. Their ‘Hollow Blow’ and ‘In Daylight’ videos received, er, heavy rotation on the popular series, and deservedly so. In Motion are one of the most beautiful home-produced bands ever. There, I said it (I’m glad I got that off my chest).

The Language Of Everyday life is only the second release through the independent Dead Elvis label. (Wormhole’s Chicks Dig Scars being the other one), and also retails at the meagre sum of a fiver. With eight magnificently crafted songs crammed into a playing time of just under half an hour, this is pure indie pop, at times reminiscent of Into Paradise, but Alan Kelly’s vocals are sweeter than Dave Long’s ever were.

The opening ‘Until My Dreams Come True’ is a melodic slice of pop paradise. This is where In Motion really click, songs so hummable that they resound in your cranium days after you hear them. ‘Splitting The Seams’ is very polished guitar pop, where even the harmonica eases perfectly into the mix. In fact, full marks to the production team, who have achieved the right blend between the vocals and music, because in a live setting Alan’s honeyed tones have been known to become lost amid the guitars.

‘Hollow Blow’ and ‘In Daylight’ are present with all their wonderful memories (I can’t hear the former without picturing drummer Liam Ryan wandering around Dublin in drag for the video). ‘Honey Sweet Soul’ is all harmonies and melodies tripping each other up in their desire to infect you with their catchiness.

‘When Will You Come Back?’ is a big bag full of sadness, melancholy and regret. ‘What would make you come back?/I should hate you with all my heart,” sings Alan and all around the country, hearts melt. This is my favourite song ever. Period.

But then ‘Five And Twenty Thousand Days’ comes along and this is my favourite track. ‘Filter’ ends the all-too-brief album with a saccharine-coated bow as Alan sighs the refrain: “And now it’s time to say good-bye.” Come back soon.

• John Walshe