Former boxer Damien Dempsey has a lot of people in his corner - Sinead O'Connor, Morrissey, Christy Moore and Brian Eno are just some of the big names willing him to become the first great Irish artist of the new century. Just as well, then, that the young Donaghmede man's third album is easily his best to date. A truly powerful piece of work, it showcases perfectly Dempsey's gift for searing social commentary about contemporary Dublin, sung in a curious fusion of folk and reggae that works far better in practice than it ever should in theory. An unashamed champion of the working classes, Dempsey's songs burn with a righteous anger - but his equally keen sense of grace prevents them from descending into bitter rants. Frankly, if this doesn't break him, then nothing will.

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