Tony was an ex-con
Champion Irish band move up the gears
Jackie Hayden, 16 Oct 2009
Second albums are meant to be “difficult”. But maybe nobody alerted The Coronas to this, as right from the off this album shimmers with confidence, rattling like a bag brimful of musical goodies.
The opener ‘Won’t Leave You Alone’ is drenched in meaty guitars, Danny O’Reilly’s vocals dominating the track like he’s rarely done before. ‘Far From Here’ ups the pace, spilling over with elements of Arctic Moneys. ‘Someone Else’s Hands’ gears down for a piano-lead ballad that allows the vocals more room to breathe. ‘Listen Dear’ takes Route A to your head and heart, ‘Warm’ is a neat Beatles-ish ballad, and the biting and autobiographical ‘Tony Was An Ex-Con’ reflects the unsettling aspects on their last American tour. ‘Faith In Fate’ and the suave ‘Sandy’ further explore their softer side, the former a real mood-setter, with atmospheric strings to go.
From a palette of pop and rock influences that include The Beatles and The Stone Roses, this album establishes The Coronas’ commitment to quality rock songs and sounds, and proves they can maintain a consistently high standard over the long haul, with a work that’s immediately accessible and lovable. It probably won’t satisfy Ireland’s music fashion police, but that only adds to the sheer mischief of it all.
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