Rory Grubb
Words: Dave Uwakwe
So where do you hear the spirit of the Irish singer/songwriter a decade or so onfrom its birth in the International Bar in Dublin? You hear it sang everywhere from car to nightclub in the hugely popular and critically acclaimed albums of Paddy Casey. You hear it in the internationally praised works of the still-reigning laureate of angst, Damian Rice. You hear it in the lyrical ingenuity and the sheer atmospheric beauty of Fionn Regan, and yes, you hear it in "Sketches From The Big Sleep," the first release from Limerick native Rory Grubb.
And if Rory wants to hear his name mentioned in the above company more often, then this album is a very good first step. Speaking of spirits, the ghost of Nick Drake wafts through the albums opener, "I Saw You Go Out Fishing." An Arcadian idyll, it’s a poised introduction to the shimmering, fleeting, as if woven by gossamer thread quality that permeates the album. In an offering where even the weaker tracks exhibit Rory's finger picking proficiency and the bands expert instrumental arrangement, there is much to be grateful for.
And there are moments that stand out for their genuine, striking beauty, particularly on "Fall Out, Start Again," with its breathy vocals over a trickling of ethereal Harp notes. Or "Keep Rising, Rising Tide," an acid-folk opiate of a song, where Rory's particular vocal style best finds its range. On "Take Your Own Advice," the flighty, rhythmic chorus is a thing to delight in. There is much to recommend this album but mostly it is the delicate musicality that entrances, more than taking any slack from the at times strained, lyrics. Not yet the finished article but a very fine statement of intent from one to look out for.
Sketches From The Big Sleep
Catch Rory performing at Hard Working Class Heroes showcase 17th - 19th Oct.
Check it: www.myspace.com/rorygrubb
