The Goo 1
NOV-DEC 2022 ETHAN GOLDING AOIFE NESSA FRANCIS Pr
otector CONOR FARRELL M. Stevens & the M. STEVENS & THE GHASTS Birds A BLEND OF WIT AND THOUGHTFULNESS PAUL FITZPATRICK MERYL STREEK 796 AN AUDACIOUS ALBUM As anyone who was in attendance at the albums launch party in the Workmans Club earlier this month will attest, a powerful new voice on the Irish music scene has arrived. Meryl Streek is the project name of Dubliner Dave Mulvaney and in one fell swoop he has managed to smash through glass ceilings and take down sacred cows, all within an explosive record of brutal honesty and in your face defiance. Taking its name from the recent harrowing Irish Catholic Church Mother and Baby Home scandal, 796 blends elements of punk, electronic music, hip-hop, metal, dream-pop and more to form a sonic backdrop for the main event, its lyrics. Leaving absolutely nowhere to hide, Streek pummels our senses and our minds with an onslaught of much needed verbosity, rightly targeting the powers that be with questions that need answering. He asks them in a voice that oozes anger but this is where we’re at in 2022 and his rage is one that is gathering apace throughout certain sections of society. Tracks like ‘Death To The Landlord’, ‘Full Of Grace’, ‘False Apologies’ and ‘No Justice’ rarely shirk and provide a valuable cultural document of our times. Anger is an energy and, as we face a winter of discontent, Meryl Streek has managed to light up the musical grid with an audacious album that will resonate for multitudes. An essential purchase. PAGE 15 Ghasts is the latest project from Popical Island co-founder and general luminary of the Irish Indie Pop scene, Mike Stevens. Stevens is no stranger to the music scene having fronted many acclaimed bands since the 90’s such as Groom, Settler, Skelocrats and Lie Ins. And on his latest project, Stevens is in very good company with his band, The Ghasts, who consist of ex menbers of Spook of the 13th Lock, Large Mound, Sweet Jane and Land Lovers. Birds is an exciting debut album that lives up to the experience and pedigree of the talent onboard. Lyrics have always been one of Steven’s strong points and he is on top of his game here throughout this album with his typical blend of wit and thoughtfulness. The gorgeous lead single, Purple Heather, is an alt folk ballad and its follow up, ‘In the Garden’, is a catchy indie pop number. Both singles are a good sonic representation of the album in general. There are lovely fingerpicking style ballads (‘Tundra Geese, Go Gracefully’) mixed with some Americana style rockers (‘Dodging Coffins’ at the ‘Swimming Pool’), ethereal alt country (‘The Dead Ones’) and clever indie pop tunes (‘I Think I’ll Start My Own Island’). But the different stylings on this wonderfully produced and arranged album have a consistency that almost feels like a concept album. That consistency is not just in the albums feel but also in the quality of the music on this excellent debut! Protector is an album that gives so much and leaves you sheepishly asking for more, embarrassed to ask for more of something which has already led you down so many winding, beautifully sculpted pathways. 8 tracks, 45 minutes. A master class in restraint. The cliche of difficult second albums exists for a reason, it’s not unusual for artists to over-egg the cake and produce work which lacks cohesion, direction or conviction. Francis’ sophomore offering is a reintroduction of sorts. Her debut Land Of No Junction was released in January of the year that started all the madness. No live shows or tours to capitalise on its success has meant Protector is like discovering all of the wonderful aspects of that debut project with all of the growth, courage and expansion from nearly three years of writing mixed in.