 | Tracklist:
1. If I Had a Boat
2. Hear the Noise That Moves So Soft and Low
3. Sparrow & the Wolf
4. Breaking Hearts
5. We Don't Eat
6. This Old Dark Machine
7. Follow You Down to the Red Oak Tree
8. Down the Burning Ropes
9. From the Woods!!
10. And If My Heart Should Somehow Stop
11. Early in the Morning, I'll Come Calling
| Ranking: #15 for 2010 | |
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On 8 Lists
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| Summary: Gather the family, it's time to feast on taters round the fire! |
3 of 4 thought this review was well written
A singer/songwriter that lives alone in a house in some secluded location is getting to be something of a cliché these days. After it was done by Bon Iver, The Antlers, and countless others it has lost a certain amount of the magic, the allure, that it used to have. The thought of some heartwrenched folk singer sitting alone writing music about their problems has simply lost a portion of the intimacy that it used to have. Early in the Morning doesn’t necessarily suffer from this “false sincerity” luckily enough, even though McMorrow cooked up the album sitting in a house on a beach in Ireland.
If I had to take a stab at what kind of person McMorrow is, I’d bet that he was sort of a family man. It’s not necessarily because of any lyrical themes (though they’re certainly there), but instead the album just has one of those feels. Warm, inviting, friendly, maybe even a bit nostalgic. McMorrow has one of those velvety soft voices which croons, wails, and rocks it’s way through eleven tracks of homestyle Americana/Folk. Really, the album sounds like it could have been recorded in the American Midwest if it didn’t have some untraceable ingredient. I, for one, think that the secret ingredient is potatoes. Lots and lots of potatoes. An assload of potatoes.
If the album were more innovative, it would definitely deserve a higher rating. But, alas, it ends up being Ireland’s version of Bon Iver. With fairly strong influences from The National and Arcade Fire to Sufjan Stevens and Bob Dylan though, is there really a problem with wearing your influences on your sleeve? Songs like We Don’t Eat are pure bliss to listen to, simmering like coals and shooting up at some points without leaving the confines of the feeling, something I’d attribute to his jazz and blues influences that walk hand in hand with Americana. Other songs like Sparrow and the Wolf roll along with purpose and intention, all with a remarkably bright sound.
Overall, Early in the Morning is a fantastic album. While it does suffer at certain points from being too “inside the box” (ahem, This Old Dark Machine), there really is enough good material on the album to check it out if you’re the least bit interested in folk music, Americana, or Irish people. With a debut LP this strong, McMorrow will have a hell of a time making his sophomore effort, but by God I’m sure it will be just as good if not better.
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 4.5
mini review!
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
really
what
also, dude... I've been rapefacing with cass today
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
You should listen to the album... Chances are you might like at least some of it. I mean, I'm a total sucker for shit like this, but I've been spinning it nonstop for the last few weeks.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
shit yeah
| | | Album Rating: 3
my town is basically a ghost town cos everyone has moved to the woods to record folk albums.
Digging: Bee Gees - Their Greatest Hits: The Record Digging: Bee Gees - Their Greatest Hits: The Record | | |
pretty bland, this guy is cookie cutter modern day indie folk
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Naa this guys better than most of them out there by a margin
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Think I mentioned it as Americana a few times, which I'd personally stand by because of the bluegrass/jazz roots that are present among the folk. Sure there is a lot of soul influence also, but it's mostly just a smattering of different things.
But yeah he is remarkable live. Lots of control over his vibrato which is always nice to see.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Shit rules.
Digging: Trombone Shorty - For True Digging: Trombone Shorty - For True | | | Album Rating: 5
this album grows on you. i'm normally not into this type of music, i like progressive metal and rock. however, this is just incredible. his voice his perfect and it's very well produced/composed. "This Old Dark Machine" & "From The Woods!!" are definite highlights. a very strong first debut and i'm looking forward to seeing more in the future. definitely one to watch out for!
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Favourite album at the moment.
| | | Album Rating: 3
i love this dudes voice its very soullfull, but i wish he wouldnt flip into falsetto so much. dont get me wrong, he has a good falsetto, but compare the album version of "old dark machine" and the live on from npr tiny desk.
Digging: Joyce Manor - Joyce Manor Digging: Joyce Manor - Joyce Manor | | |
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