Telefis : A Dó
(Dimple Discs)
Obtain/Streaming obtainable now
Vinyl / CD order right here
The tragic lack of Cathal Coughlan (interviewed right here by John Robb) was mourned in lots of quarters because the influential Irish singer was one of many real spirits within the rock n roll circus. This final album is a testomony to his ongoing genius and a reminder of his potent brilliance.
In a musical profession that began in Cork within the punk wars and was extra of an journey than a profession, Cathal Coughlan had by no means misplaced his edge. His post-punk band Microdisney broke by and subsequent solo information and tasks signposted a quest to push the parameters so far as potential with out ever dropping a caustic but pop edge. Telefis was an exhilarating final hurrah on a profession filled with curveballs and creativity. Fashioned with US-based Irish producer and musician Jackknife Lee they launched the album A hAon and this was their second tour and a wedding between the producer’s digital soundscapes and Cathal’s charismatic voice.
The album is a pithy take a look at the stuffy environment of the trendy world welded to pulsating digital dance music or darkish introspective soundscapes while drawing on what they noticed as a ‘corrosive nostalgia’. It was a nod to sonic explorers past the guitar/bass/drums shackles like Kraftwerk, hints of 9 Inch Nails, the Human League and even mangled R’n’B pop that bedded the haunting unusual poetic ballads, the spectral melodies and darkish inside journeys.
As ever Jackknife Lee is on prime type with the muscular backdrops aided by a forged checklist of key company like Cathal’s longtime good friend and Microdisney co-founder and Excessive Llamas principal man Sean O’Hagan on the primary single Area Is Us, the quiet genius of Bunnyman Will Sergeant including a magic to The Age Of Cling or punk-funk pioneers A Sure Ratio dropping by or Jah Wobble bringing his ever distinctive bass earthquake to Circling Over Shannon.
A mixture of darkish nearly industrial stripped-down items mingle with a twenty second century future darkish pop that underlines that this isn’t an album that trades in previous glories however is hungry for the visionary vistas of the longer term. Absolutely the entire level of post-punk was to stay in vacation spot future and but achingly artistic and in search of new textures and sounds to play with?
After all, that is a lot simpler in case you have a voice as wealthy and textural as Cathal had. It’s the type of voice that may soar or whisper menacingly and it at all times comes armed with nice lyrics that commentate and tear strips off the automotive crash of recent life.
Cathal was a giant presence – a humble man with a deep intelligence and sensitivity and he by no means rested on his laurels. After all, it’s unhappy that he has left us however no less than he was on a artistic excessive that crowns an exhilarating journey and can also be a measure of simply what a stressed and impressed soul he was.
God bless you huge man.
