"The Lucky Caller No. 9"
(Whimsical River)
six / ten
|
|
IAN WHITTY AND THE EXCHANGE "The Lucky Caller No. 9" (Whimsical River)
six / ten |
Ian Whitty & The Exchange appear to have the wind in their sails right about now. Choice support slots with the likes of The Frames and Bell X1, videos getting plenty of TV exposure and an in-ordinate amount of praise from many within the Irish media world suggest big things ahead for the Cork based musician and his group. So, does The Lucky Caller No.9, their debut album, deliver concrete evidence to back up such fulsome praise? WellllÉin places. There's no denying that Whitty, for he is the main driving force behind this collective, understands the components that are needed to create a memorable pop song.
Lyrically he hits the mark more often than not, as evidenced by 'Fallen Stars (In Late Night Bars)'. A melancholic, cautionary tale on those who see their dreams vanish in a drunken haze, its countryish vibe has its appeal. Likewise the heart-warming description of an older person desperately craving youth contained within 'The Family Is Still Young'. Melody is also a concept which he seems well acquainted with. In fact, The Lucky Caller No.9 begins quite strongly in this regard, with openers 'City Friend' and 'Not On Your Side' containing two of the record's better choruses. But if there's one drawback- and this writer found it nigh on impossible to get over- it's Whitty's voice. Can he hold a tune? No problems there. Can he sing in key? Yessiree. Rather, the problem lies with his delivery and the tone of it.
Single 'Houndstooth Shirt' is a perfect example of this. It's a catchy song, but the staccato delivery of the lyrics, the pronunciation, the dragging out of certain words, is incredibly irritating. Thankfully no other track on the album suffers to this degree. But elsewhere, notably on 'Bought & Sold', the flow and delivery of the vocals is an annoying facsimile of previous moments.
As debuts go Ian Whitty & The Exchange have made a reasonable, if imperfect, start. The Lucky Caller No.9? On balance lucky in some areas, but unlucky too often in others to earn any more than a 6.
Alan Morrissey
www.ianwhitty.net
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................