Gemma Hayes - Night On My Side

Viewer Rating:fredgarven has rated Gemma Hayes - Night On My Side rating: 5 Star

This, simply is one of the greatest rock albums to come out of this country ever. What makes this stand up from the usual 'singer songwriters' that are on every corner of Ireland. What we have here is a mix of gorgeous folky songs and blistering rock tracks. It's obvious from the start that Ms.Hayes is a Nirvana and My Bloody Valentine fan. There's feedback and some serious distortion going on here.Loads of tasty chord changes and yet buckets of melody. 'Lucky one' starts off quiet and nice and builds up to a wall of sound that would blow the Thrills of their unicycles. The single 'Let a good thing go' is a bitterness filled song perfect to accompany you when getting your frustrations out on a punch bag. Another single 'Hanging around' is a heavy track that wouldn't have been out of place in Seattle in the 90's. Third single 'back of my hand' is a more mellow number but still quite heavy. The album has its quieter moments too.'Over and over' and 'My God' are very mellow tracks and perfect chill out songs. The whole album is almost like a mix tape you would've made years ago(damn you ipod) with songs to suit whatever mood you're in. It's a natural progression for Hayes as her first ep 4.35am was very mellow and nice whereas Work to a calm had a noisier side. Her voice throughout is excellent, sometimes she almost whispers and then there are times you know she means business without resorting to screaming. For me the highlight is the guitars. I love the way some songs build up to that wall of sound that so many bands get wrong. All in all this is an album that sound grace the 'top 20 Irish album ever' lists for a long time and finally an artist that has her own style.

Review published on the 01 March 2008 15:10