Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

An EP from this Irish band who have already created a word of mouth buzz about their engaging alt country music. More downbeat than could possibly be imagined, this has a broody, rootsy feel which is evocative and soulful but not immediate. Consequently, it takes a few listens before the EP's charms begin to wash over you! Built around Paul Wilkinson's melodic guitar textures and loose, laid back vocals, this is melancholic music and understated melodies rather than obvious bright pop. Thematically, much of this seems to be about broken relationships so "Graduate Blood" sounds like the soundtrack for a dark night of the soul. And anyway, any CD that opens with the line "She came back into my heart/ Just as if she'd never been out/As if she'd just nipped out" has got to be cool, hasn't it?

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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