14 December 2011 (Music Review)

Words: Nay McArdle

What's this? Another Irish album, you say? Patrick Kelleher's 'Golden Syrup' keenly condensed the prodigious talent of the man into one singular collection of songs and, for that reason, it has turned up at number 12 on our list of the best albums of 2011. Tune in tomorrow for #11.

 

 

 

#20 is Washed Out - Within and Without
#19 is Holy Ghost! - Holy Ghost!
#18 is Bon Iver - Bon Iver
#17 is Lisa Hannigan - Passenger
#16 is Cashier No. 9 - To The Death of Fun
#15 is Feist - Metals
#14 is Gillian Welch - The Harrow and the Harvest
#13 is Tieranniesaur - Tieranniesaur
#12 is Patrick Kelleher and his Cold Dead Hands - Golden Syrup

Patrick Kelleher and His Cold Dead Hands' Golden Syrup is a dark and glamorous creation, ten reverberating incantations that are swathed in synths with tipped darts of drum machines puncturing the ether. According to Patrick Kelleher, the lyrics of this album are darker and regressive in comparison to his last record but that sinister tone is for the most part, allayed by beguiling, dancey pop.

Golden Syrup by Patrick Kelleher

Sending out a strong Eighties vibration, Golden Syrup is however more than a mere revisitation of pop's greatest era. For example, the opening track 'Miracle Candle' belongs firmly in the present, its febrile, looping basis keeping a fast and ordered control despite the lightest touch, allowing for Kelleher to sing his parts with a distorted hiccupping echo as Ger Duffy whispers in response. Although there's a sense that this music could be played by one person and lots of gear, It's here in this first song that we hear how much of a band effort has been made, with the guitar, synths, bass and a guest appearance on guitar from Cian Nugent all making the song so much fuller.

Closing these final moments of Golden Syrup are I Don't Remember, the weird throwback to You Look Cold, and Still In School, the softly-climatic finale that's just two minutes long and uses nothing more than guitar and voice to throw off the trappings and majestic disguises of Golden Syrup as a whole to simply sing the swan song. In dispelling the artifice of synths and drumtracks the Cold Dead Hands and their mage Kelleher return to human form, free to return to the world whether they like it or not.
 

]

 

The judging panel consisted of: John Balfe, Nay McArdle, Elaine Buckley, Edda Fransiska Kjarval, Ciaran Savage, Barry Bracken, Ian Maleney and Patrick Conboy.

Back to Music Exclusives