Video of the Week: Stoat’s Trampolina
Review by Bobby Green I have to confess that I’m a late arrival to Stoat, and for this I will always bear that burden of not being into one of the coolest bands Irelands alternative scene has ever produced from the start. I love getting in there early and watching a band grow, it’s one of my greatest joys. When I first heard them last month I fell in love with the honesty of ‘Talk Radio Makes Me Feel Alone’ and started to look up old clips of them on youtube just to get a feel of what these guys were like and I was honestly gutted that it was only now I had started to get to know their music. They remind me of why I love alternative music, its raw honesty speaks directly to my heart and when something touches your heart in such a way it’s impossible not to fall in love. Trampolina just happens to be probably Stoat’s first ever love song and for me it sealed the deal as my new love affair with them is now well underway, it’s gloriously indie pop and unashamedly catchy. As with all their songs the attention to detail in the lyrics is a huge pull but the brass section in the chorus of this charming little ditty really does makes it a perfect love song. It’s totally different from ‘Talk Radio Makes Me Feel Alone’ and that makes me want more. The Album Try not to think about it is out later this year and it is all I’m thinking about right now. But until then ‘Trampolina’ and its great accompanying video, shot in one take, is out now to get you ready for the greatest comeback since Neil Prenderville stopped taking pain killers. ‘Trampolina’…. Out is out...
Gillian McGee has all the feels for Marlene Enright’s debut release
Sometimes you have no idea what a song is about, hum along and just enjoy the sound. Other times the lyrics are so to the fore you don’t even really remember the tune. In Marlene Enright‘s debut solo album Placemats and Second Cuts there is a precise perfect balance of both lyric and melody, a delicate thing to get so very right. From first listen I was hooked. The thing that hits you immediately is Enright’s gorgeous voice . It is unique, pure and emotive giving all of the songs an ethereal feel. She creates an atmosphere that draws you in, floats you along and makes you want to hear the stories that lie within. Enright is the queen of sharp honest lyrics winding many of life’s experiences into a rich backdrop of lovely melodies. Hard to believe this is a debut Placemats and Second Cuts is perfectly produced with some very cool arrangements making it a fully rounded album. Every note, every word, every instrument, every harmony in the right place. Sounds blend from indie pop to alt country to RnB grooves showing us Enright’s immense versatility. More than once I found myself shoulder dancing and grooving along. The indie country song ‘ When the Water is Hot’ is literally flawless with it’s waltz like quality dancing us into killer thought provoking lyrics such as ‘when the heat is gone, the thrill is gone, the colours are no more’. Pop perfection can be heard in songs like ‘123’ and ‘Underbelly’ always with a hint of something a bit darker. ‘Sadness’ with its haunting stripped back instrumentation allows Enright’s voice to take centre stage warning us to look out for the sadness creeping up on us – it will make you a bit heartsore and love her all the more for it, after all it is good advice. For me the song that’s been on repeat is ‘We were in trouble’ so beautifully written full of loneliness, beauty and spine chilling melodic drive. This is simply a brilliant album from a wonderfully bright and talented musician. Enright says in ‘hindsight it’s an album full of self reflection’ no doubt that’s what makes it feel so real. There’s nothing better than someone telling it from the heart and when they wrap it up like like this it surpasses all you can want from music. Gillian McGee is one half of Twitch Jnr who can be found playing regularly around Cork City and especially in Gallagher’s on McCurtain...
Bobby Green is blown away by The Pacifics new EP Quadrafenians
Review by Bobby Green Again I’m totally knocked out by these lads, Breakneck Garage R’n’B Rock n Roll played with passion, and in this form there isn’t much better out there than The Pacifics. Another EP with four balls out nosebleed stompers lasting no longer than 2 and a half minutes. There’s a nod to Hamburg era Beatles and the kinks again on Quadrafenians played with passion and humour in abundance, you cant help but love it. The name of the EP is worth owning the 7” slab of coolness alone. I honestly believe that 7” vinyl is the holy grail of music formats and the EP is the highest of the high in this most glorious of ways to consume music. Quadrafenians is out now, you need this in your collection. Listen to Quadrafenians below...
Bobby Green reminisces to Interskalactic’s debut self titled EP
Review by Bobby Green Interskalactic have been one of Irelands top live bands for a while now, their no nonsense attitude to their delivery of Ska in its purist and most beautiful form has made them the dance floor favourites for anyone who knows what a real good time is. Their sound may have a big band flavour to it but the main course is the most wonderful Ska I’ve tasted in years. Their upbeat set features covers from classic ska artists including Prince Buster, The Skatalites and Byron Lee & the Dragonaires, their own ska-ified versions of popular hits from the last few decades and now also their own music. And this upcoming EP features five brand new and original big band ska tracks. These tunes brought me skanking right back to the days when I first heard Ska, the magic and excitement is as raw as I remember it. When I was a teenager my parents worked shifts, and on the odd weekend they’d both be on nights. On these occasions my mate Nick Pearse would come over and we’d play old Ska and Reggae albums all night while drinking the best lager we could afford from the only off licence that would serve us. If I close my eyes and listen to Interskalactic I’m there again, my choice of poison may have changed but the quality of the music is still as amazing as it sounded back in the day. They are playing in Cork on my birthday and I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be than moonstomping my way around the dance floor to Interskalactic, come and join me on what will be the best night out you’ll have in years. The EP is out 31st March and they will be touring to promote its release. April 1st – 5th On Teeling, Sligo April 8th – Whelans, Dublin April 15th – Monroe’s, Galway April 27th – Harbour Bar, Dublin May 5th – Cathedral Quarter Arts, Belfast May 6th – Crane Lane, Cork May 26th – Dolan’s, Limerick May 27th – Live On Air, Sligo June 4th – Halfway Skafest, Wexford https://soundcloud.com/interskalactic/jamaican-ska...
Song of the Day: Jack O’Rourke ‘Naivety’
It really should read “Songs of the Day” with this double sided single release from Jack O’Rourke deserving their own individual attention. While they are simply different versions of the same song they both speak so differently to the listener they may as well be from different eras. Releasing ‘Naivety’ on February 24 Cork Musician Jack O’Rourke is rounding off a phenomenal year. His debut album soaring high in the charts, his singles winning international songwriting awards and his name being dropped by all kinds of music superstars Jack is making a name for himself. The radio edit for ‘Naivety’ is hook laden demonstrating O’Rourke influences from Bowie to Kate Bush with a beat that doesn’t quit and will have you humming it for the rest of the day. The acoustic version (the video of which I have included below) demonstrates minutely Jack’s wit, his transcendental baritone and a undercurrent of double meanings glossed over in the radio edit. Have a listen for yourself below. ‘Naivety’ is out February...
