Favourite Irish albums of the CLUAS writers
Ollie O'Leary's top 5 Irish albums of all time...
My
Bloody Valentine 'Loveless' (1991)
Not only the greatest Irish album ever but quite possibly the most amazing
record ever made, certainly the most incomparable. It?s not just the
exhilarating ?glide guitar? innovations but the vocal melodies are just as
wondrous. Amidst this thrilling noise, it must be remembered there is majestic
songwriting here. One album that you can truly truly get lost in, just let it
overwhelm you time and time again. Amazingly, if it were released today it would
still be like nothing you?ve ever heard. Perhaps never to be equalled in scope
or affect. Incredible.
Rollerskate Skinny 'Horsedrawn wishes'
Sharing the innovative spirit of ?Loveless? this overlooked classic is a
stunningly original work. Layered guitar has never been more compelling. The
lyrics are just as richly textured. What might seem initially like drug-induced
ramblings hold within them multi-coloured insights. A wall of guitars that
blister and burn, irresistible percussion and bass, genius futurepop melodies
and some damn weird effects combine to create a sound that takes you hostage and
makes you bleed with a dark bliss. A giant achievement.
My Bloody Valentine 'Isn't Anything' (1991)
In many ways a more direct hit than ?Loveless? but still resolutely
experimental. Rampaging power guitar gems thrust here, infused with flaming
distortion and relentless punk drumming, then sweetened with stunning vocals.
The vocal melodies really are special, they are what hoist this record to the
gods. The dark side of My Bloody Valentine is evident throughout but especially
on tracks like ?No More Sorry? and ?All I Need?, with the music bravely oblique
and defiantly intense, forging a path for the transcendent likes of ?To Here
Knows When? and ?Sometimes? on ?Loveless?. An album that will steamroll you into
submission.
Mumblin' Deaf Ro' 'Senor, my friend...' (2003)
A debut home-recorded work that dazzles with talent throughout. Each one of the
ten folk-tinged songs is instantly memorable, and branded with a refreshing
individuality. Ro?s guitar picking is sublime, his playing coloured with
purposeful expression. The vocals are warm, charming and effortlessly melodic,
with lyrics both imaginative and moving. Additional musicians play some written
parts, with arrangements that are often glorious, but it?s on the one guitar -
one voice songs ?Every Now And Then She Gets A Moment?, ?The Hero Is A Graduate?
and ?The Ballad Of Lonesome Ray James? that the album gleams brightest of all.
Timeless sentiments, gorgeous songs. Truly a record to cherish.
The Harvest Ministers 'A feeling mission'
The underrated Ministers? finest hour. The songs are beautifully crafted
and they blossom through a beguiling band sound. Will Merriman?s expressive,
gently creaking voice is the shining thread through bittersweet songs that carry
a universal essence throughout. ?A Drowning Man?, with its sumptuous violin and
unforgettable melody, has to be one of the finest songs ever penned by an Irish
band. The guitar riffs on ?An Inopportune Girl? and ?Modernising the New You?
are ridiculously alluring. Death ballad ?She?s Buried? in unapologetic in its
sparseness and awful grief - it?s a song Nick Cave could cover. ?Happy to Abort?
and ?Dealing with a Kid? are essentially solo Merriman songs and make you wonder
why he needed a band at all, so convincing is his delivery. This album is beaded
with wonders. A mature pop treasure.
- Check out the final Top 50 Irish Albums of All Time as voted by CLUAS.com readers
- Discuss this selection of best Irish albums of all time on the CLUAS Discussion Board.
- Check out the top 5 Irish albums of all time chosen by these other CLUAS writers:
Allen Conlan
Anthony Morrissey
Brano
Brian Farrelly
Brian Kelly
Celine O'Malley
Chris Ford
Ciaran Wrenn
Cormac Looney
Donal Griffin
Dromed
Gav Reilly
Hugh Tynan
Jimmy Murphy
Jules Jackson
Ollie O'Leary
Stephen McNulty
