Thursday 20 September 2012

Liam Dullaghan nice review

Review by Jimbo Walsh -  http://www.grumpyrocker.co.uk/liam-dullaghan-making-history-review
For someone who ended up homeless, living in his parents’ garage and having to sell all his guitars, it is remarkable that Liam Dullaghan has overcome those hurdles to write his debut solo album Making History. However, it is those setbacks which are the backdrop to Making History and really a huge debt of thanks must go to producer / multi-instrumentalist Lee Russell, who was the catalyst to Liam writing music once more.
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has influenced many musicians and the idea of star crossed lovers entwined to their tragic end sets a clear tone for the crackling radio opening that is Radio Verona. Liam’s gentle yet breathless voice, accompanied by acoustic guitar, are softly arranged and ease the listener into the album. The underlying strings have a meandering quality which enhances the melancholy feel of Radio Verona.
What if We Win begins with a joyousness of guitar and drums that eventually fades away to stripped back slower vocals, before returning to that quicker pace. It is almost as if Liam daren’t dream that he could ever win and that when everything seems to be going well there is an underlying force that draws him back to downhearted reflection. Although any sadness is obliterated by the later offering of Paradise Beach with its roaring strings, pop orientated tone and wistful positiveness.
Having spent so long in America it comes as no surprise that there are hints of Country to many of the tracks on Making History and especially so with New Barcelona and I Fell Through The Night Like a Stone. New Barcelona in particular being a wonderful fuse of picked out country guitar and Liam’s vocal style.
I’m just Fucked Without You demonstrates that there is no need to be downbeat, in offering up those moments in life when you are lost after the break up of a relationship. However, there is something unsatisfying about Liam’s expression of the phrase "I’m just fucked without you". There is obviously a huge amount of pain in those five words, yet that doesn’t quite translate and is almost lost between a feeling of it needing to be more aggressive or less offensive. This is a shame and should not be used as stick to beat the rest of the album with.
The opening reversed recording of title track Making History mirrors well with opening track Radio Verona in structural creation. If it is possible, Liam’s softly spoken vocals are passionate in their tonality and carry so much emotion, especially when Liam sings "watch the last train disappear". Closing your eyes and listening to the phrase "sometimes it feels like we’re making history" is possibly the album’s eponymous moment
The fact that it has taken Liam three years to craft Making History shows the level of commitment, effort and sheer dedication that deserves a stage on which to sit. Do not listen to this out of sympathy for Liam Dullaghan, listen to it as a friend listens to you when you pour your heart out.

No comments:

Post a Comment