Favourite Irish albums of the CLUAS writers
Celine O'Malley's top 5 Irish albums of all time...
Act:
BellX1
Album: "Music in Mouth" (2003)
While I loved their debut album, ?Neither am I?, I have to say their
follow-up is a much more accomplished and polished affair. It combines
bittersweet harmonies, dealing with tragedy with lighter moments such as
?Alphabet Soup?. Paul Noonan?s unique voice and Dave Geraghty?s prowess on just
about every instrument ensure that each song delivers. Maybe the fact that
they're so good live influenced my choice here, but an album that can combine
the rocked out power of ?Tongue? and the delicate heartfelt ode to love and loss
?Sunflower? on the one album and succeed with both deserves recognition.
Act:
The
Frames
Album: "Dance the Devil" (1999)
This was always going to be a difficult one; even as I am writing this I
am changing my mind, I knew they?d feature in my top 5, but which album to pick.
I?ve been a fan of theirs for years, and they?re one of the best live bands I?ve
ever seen. While maybe the production isn?t as good as on ?For the Birds? I
think ?Dance the Devil? has to be my favourite. There are so many classics on it
including ?Star, Star?, ?Plateau? and ?God Bless Mom?, which still remain live
favourites. The opening chords of ?Perfect Opening Line? bring to mind summer
festivals, college days and the sweet smell of youth and freedom. It?s hard to
beat the mantra of ?I want my life to make more sense? on ?Pavement Tune? as the
perfect angst ridden student anthem.
Act:
Snow
Patrol
Album: "Final Straw" (2003)
New darlings of the UK critics, this Irish band based in Scotland, have
been doing their own thing for years and finally the industry seems to have
caught up. From the opening guitar riffs of ?Wow? to the mellower ?Run? they?re
out on their own in terms of Irish acts. The album was written in the shadow of
the Iraqi crisis and this influence can be felt on many of the tracks. ?Grazed
Knee? is poignant with wistful violins mourning a love gone wrong. With a sold
out tour of the UK and plans to play many of the summer festivals, their time
has finally arrived.
Act:
The
Prayerboat
Album: "Polichinelle" (1999)
From the opening track ?Polichinelle? the power and distinctive sound of
Emmet Tinley?s voice is what shines through on this album from Wicklow band, The
Prayerboat. Unfortunately the band is no longer together but you can catch Emmet
playing solo gigs from time to time and if you like the album, then live he?ll
blow you away. His amazing voice, hauntingly backed by sweet guitars, soars on
?Saved? and is filled with spine-tingling intensity on ?It Hurts to Lose you?.
The album finishes with the piano fuelled ?In My Arms again? which starts with
some beautiful opening chords and completes a brilliant album which still sounds
as good 5 years after it was released.
Act:
Simple
Kid
Album: "SK1" (2003)
Simple Kid, a young man from Cork, who after leaving the band The Young
Offenders, struck out on his own and released this unusual but inspired debut
album. What I love about this album is that it sounds different from everything
else out there. From the electronic beats and robotic sounds on the first track
?Hello? and the very catchy single ?Truck On?, to ?Staring at the Sun? which
rocks with strong guitars and a great drum beat and ?Drugs? with its 80?s disco
feel, he certainly brightens up a music scene swamped by mournful
singer-songwriters. Alongside the album his fantastic interactive website and
interesting tours playing different versions of the album under the name of
Simple Club, all conspire to make him one of the bright new talents for 2004.
- Check out the final Top 50 Irish Albums of All Time as voted by CLUAS.com readers
- Discuss this selection of best Irish albums of all time on the CLUAS Discussion Board.
- Check out the top 5 Irish albums of all time chosen by these other CLUAS writers:
Allen Conlan
Anthony Morrissey
Brano
Brian Farrelly
Brian Kelly
Celine O'Malley
Chris Ford
Ciaran Wrenn
Cormac Looney
Donal Griffin
Dromed
Gav Reilly
Hugh Tynan
Jimmy Murphy
Jules Jackson
Ollie O'Leary
Stephen McNulty
