Album Review: Fontaines DC – A Hero’s Death  (Partisan Records)

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The young Irish band, Fontaines DC, performs an exorcism of music and travel through dark shadows to emerge to the peace in the valley.

Experiencing some crisis of spirit and inspiration after the initial burst of fame and success. Grian Chatton the singer has discussed the toll that a heavy touring schedule was having on the band and where exactly in their heads they were living.

Back to Dublin went Carlos O’Connell and Conor Curley the guitarists, Conor Deegan bass guitar, Tom Coll drums. Catholic confessional catharsis was Dan Carey the producer’s commission. Christ! I can’t keep it coming. We’ll stop at the sea.

The double helix of Joy Division wound around the Smiths is the prevailing weather on at least half the songs here.

I Don’t Belong blends the guitars into a melancholy trance groove. The drums propel, with little accents thrown in. The singer starts in a monotone and slowly becomes more expressive.

Trace the line back to Jim Morrison, and his own embracing of Sinatra on Acid that he achieved. Clear enunciation of lyrics, a singing style that sounds close to the speaking voice. Ian Curtis, Ian McCulloch, Leonard Cohen.

Love is the Main Thing is just as morose and melancholy. Sounds like he is in a death spiral as he intones the title repeatedly. The guitar lifts the mood a little with some echo and reverb-ed licks.

Televised Mind is also a mantra, but the music is faster and spins the vortex up and becomes inspirational. Tremolo guitar, the drums play fast rolls and fills and pick up the energy. Dissonance is harnessed and the song feels uplifting. We probably need to be aware of the mind that streams in through broadband, Facebook, Netflix, social media and is all stored in the Cloud.

A Lucid Dream and the singer goes full Morrissey. The guitars blend into a blanket, and then wind up into a maelstrom with propulsive drumming. A quiet peaceful surf guitar coda on the bridge before the howling storm returns.

Oh, Such a Spring is a peaceful reflective song. Melodic folk guitar, a soft chorus in the background. Beautifully sung and reflective, an Irish Ray Davies on a bright cold sunny day.

A Hero’s Death is back to the melancholy in subject, but invigorating in the execution. The guitars lock into a charged rocking riff. Life ain’t always empty/ Don’t sacrifice your life for your health. The message is upbeat and uplifting.  Life is a flame that burns briefly and brightly. When you feel lost and empty, some process is happening.

 Living in America the music is dissonant and disturbed and charged. The voice goes from baritone to bass. Their Suicide roots are revealed. Flying over a vast land on a beam of electricity. Spirits, Ghost Riders and US rockets.

I Was Not Born starts with simple strummed guitars and some tribal thumping. Atonal vocals and this sounds like Velvet Underground live. Lou Reed style chanting, ironic humour. The repetitive droning guitars shift through the gears and crescendo at the top.

Sunny and we are in the peaceful valley. A quiet melodic Country Rock twanging guitar starts the song and winds its way through it like a stream. Melodic Folk Pop vocals. Chatton sings this with some charm and grace, with a steady voice that does not over-emote. Doesn’t always hits the notes bang on, and this makes it better. He is an inexact singer. Finishes as a Pop song.

No closes the album and the peace continues. Strummed guitars, a measured vocal and the Irish accent shines. And we know what freedom brings/ The awful songs it makes you sing.    The quiet one has the darkness wrapped inside.

Music often reflects or embraces dark times and mental turmoil. It can also find the path to transcend it and ultimately to deliverance. And you can dance to it.

Rev Orange Peel           

Rev Orange Peel
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