It's been quite a rollercoaster couple of years for David Geraghty. Not only does the Kildare native continue to enjoy a successful livelihood as guitarist for Bell X1 - currently worming their way into the USA's consciousness - but his solo career has also been simmering away nicely, too.
So it's no wonder that Geraghty has called his second album 'The Victory Dance'; after releasing an unexpectedly cracking debut in 2007 ('Kill Your Darlings'), he should be bouncing across the floorboards like the lovechild of Ginger Rogers and Michael Flatley.
Contrarily, however, this is a record more suited to a slow set in a candlelit kitchen than glitzy ballroom. Here, Geraghty shows that the lush, understated tone he touched on with songs like 'Backseat' and 'Ragdoll' from his debut were no fluke. As a songwriter, he excels at pacing songs perfectly and creating an mood that cloaks this album in a lush, enigmatic atmosphere. 'Soft Spot' and 'Last Time Around' are softly-played tunes based around Clare Finglass's beautiful croon, a plump double bassline and twinkling touches of piano. 'Watch Her Win' and 'Change My Mind' are suspended in a kind of wistful bluesy pop fog, while 'The Emperor's Hand-Me-Downs''s very faint electro undercurrent tempers the dominant acoustic tone.
Yet for all 'The Victory Dance''s late-night gorgeousness, it's missing a killer song that bites, snaps and kicks its heels - several of which have been snatched from Geraghty's songbook in the past. Then again, he does appear to be a musician that strives to move forward. This is another admirable chapter of his career.
