Limerick post-punk/indie outfit His Father’s Voice release their debut album `Black Poison Morning` this month. The band comprise of lead singer Ash O’Connor, guitarist James Reidy, bassist Laya Meabhdh Kenny and drummer Cian McGuirk. According to the band “The album title was inspired by a quote from Kevin Barry’s short story ‘Across the Rooftops.’ The story sits in hesitance and awkwardness, delivered with such familiar phrasing within such a familiar setting to that of our own. For us, this totally resonated with the challenges the album grapples with and tries to grow and learn from.”
The album opens with `The Blues` which depicts how the uncanny-valley nature of corporate hospitality spaces buries community culture. A constant shimmering guitar riff and vocals that soar above lead us in before bass and drums join and the sound becomes much more brooding. It kind of reels itself in briefly before guitar, bass and a gentle drumbeat lead us back to the previous pathway and out. Although the title `Night Terrors` would almost suggest a terrified awakened state, this number had a fairly compelling texture with the initial part of the song having tender hypnotic weaving vocals splayed throughout. It almost takes a breath before returning with a reflective almost introspective feel.
`Through The Thorns` began with a Pixies like intro before this kind of probing composition settled into a more relaxed rolling rhythm with vocals that seemed to be questioning. A sadness or melancholy seemed to permeate `Forget To Feed` which displayed a fairly hypnotic appeal.
`Interior Decorator` drifted along with some jangling guitar riffs and vocals that rose in, above and around whereas `Breathless` became quite mesmerising with some delicate harmonies, a number which musically seemed to mirror the intensity of the lyrical content.
About `Arm`s Length` singer Ash confessed “I’ve always wanted to try my hand at capturing what lust sounds like lyrically. To me it’s claustrophobic and crushing, yet somehow, at the same time it’s utterly exciting and euphoric. This song has a go at exploring those contradictions – it’s dreamy yet catchy, it’s hesitant yet can’t help but urgently keep driving forward. The guitars and rhythm section create a pummelling ending giving it a sense of release while still clinging onto an overarching frustration.” The closing track `Emotional Embargo` is a fairly heartbreaking submission.
`Black Poison Morning` was a bit of a conundrum to me, one of those releases that are pretty hard to define. Ash O’Connor has a delightful voice which veers from vulnerability to powerfully determined while retaining a fine delicacy about it. The musical backing is at times fairly enthralling and at others pretty robust and powerfully passionate. It`s one of those enigmatic releases that needs a few listens before it finally engages.
Rating 8/10
