Paul McLaney – The Daylight Moon (13th Floor Album Review)
Majestic and meditative. Two words that immediately surface in response to Paul McLaney’s new offering The Daylight Moon. After a long run of albums as the constant presence in ‘post-prog’ band Gramsci, McLaney now offers a solo project.
This sequence of compositions begins with Ascension, a short atmospheric invitational piece with wind/breath/whispers segueing into a melody of plucked guitar. Having beckoned us into a reverential space, McLaney’s wavering voice completes the welcome with We Own The World. Delicate falsettos underlain by deeper registers. A yearning for years past The days seemed endless then/ The memory of youth/ fruit trees laden/ with ripened heavy fruit. A little reminiscent, perhaps, of Antony/Anohni and the Johnsons.
There’s continuity around this ageing theme with the wistful The Past is All We Have. The beauty of piano and birdsong. McLaney offers a deeper voice. Cherish every moment/ As if it were your last.
As if to give us time to ponder, Pure Sunlight is devoid of lyrics and at a mere 40 seconds, offers a moment to pause on the meditative journey. The first of a number of such interludes that punctuate the seventeen tracks.
The astonishing range of McLaney’s vocals weave their way through The Chequered Flag, replete with intimations of morality Where did this faith come from?/ And will it last?/ And get me past/ The chequered flag? A spoken poem almost. The even-pitched delivery of a Bill Callahan song that leaves emphasis on the lyrics. No surprises then that poetry is increasingly McLaney’s chosen outlet.
The True Version is chant-like and hints of Nick Cave’s Ghosteen era. And in this state of mind/ I am neither adult or child/ I’m just who I’ve always been. Identity, authenticity, continuity. We’re whisked-along a soundscape with delicate sounds, heading for an unknown estimation. Beautiful and elevating, as this collection is throughout.
As with Cave, the spiritual realm is palpable. From the Yeatsian-named interlude Spiritus Mundi then Different Crosses to the exquisitely soaring My Bravest Face with its testimony of acceptance: My lesson learned/ My cheek is turned/ Practising a daily grace/ Putting on my bravest face. Spiritual themes that anticipating the outro of This Who I am, a strings-backed baring of self in candid fade-out to the distant sound of a chattering crowd.
This album, in all its gentleness, frank revelation of self and subtle exhortation to higher callings is balm in this troubled world and often shouty ways of engaging. Allow these secular chants to take up residence within. They will share a rare tranquility. In a word…sublime.
Robin Kearns
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