I just received a new recording from
Declan O'Donovan, a Canadian songwriter, singer and pianist. First I'll start off by saying if you're looking for hot electric guitar riffs... it's not here. What is here is something really different! Not sure I can adequately describe it. The music is warm and inviting but not homey and boring. The release opens with
Unquiet, which intro sounds a bit like a Miles Davis track but O'Donovan adds in vocals over the solitude piano with an uneven rhythm and the song starts to build in a very Un Miles kind of way. Then drums are added creating a very specific direction for the track. It's really quite cool. Of course there are some cool guitar riffs but this is put together like a painter paints a landscape... just a dab here and there.
Crumble has a specific sound that I really like... think Dyin' Crapshooters Blues. Again in a very painterly way, the tale is told with instrumentation just carrying the vocals along.
Cheap Souvenir has a more structured sound and maybe a bit more Randy Newmanesque ... but not. This guy is a very talented songwriter and it shows on each and every song.
Things That You Lose has a very melancholy sound but also a touch of New Orleans. Just sit back and enjoy this. Jesse Jubot adds some really appropriate violin parts into this track.
A Bitter Rain has a familiarity to it and echo of a French Cafe or maybe Mary Hopkins.
I Want You Close has a bit more of a pop sound and will likely be a popular airplay track.
Death Of A Salesman is a bit more sophisticated track with considerable sonic texture.
Where You Are is a quiet ballad that has a very strong melodic base. This is another track that could easily warrant heavy airplay (a sneaker). An instrumental interlude called
Outro wraps up the release in a tidy package.
This is a very clean and interesting relase from Canadian songwriter O'Donovan and I hope he gets the recognition that he deserves for such a fine composition.
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