List: 50 Best Irish Acts Today - 10-01

Part Five, and the final part of my countdown of the Best 50 Irish Acts today. The only requirement for entry is that the artist must have played live or released something in the past twelve months.

Read the rest of the list:
50-41
40-31
30-21
20-11

10. Mick Flannery
'Tomorrow's Paper' from Corkonian Mick Flannery's second album 'White Lies' is about as good a singer-songwriter classic as you're likely to hear. In fact that whole album is utterly brilliant. A vast improvement on his debut Evening Train, he's an artist who keeps going from strength to strength. He tours endlessly around the country too, so be sure to catch him when and if you can.



9. Adrian Crowley
Winner of this year's Choice Music Prize, Adrian Crowley is finally getting the adoration he deserves. His first album came out way back in 1999, but it seems like the 2010s will be his decade. My own favourite artist Ryan Adams loves him, and if that's not praise, he's due to appear high up on the bill at Electric Picnic 2010 as one of Ireland's biggest names.



8. The Swell Season/The Frames/Glen Hansard
These are all lumped in together as they're whatever Glen Hansard decides to do after polishing his Oscar when he wakes up in the morning. He's focused mainly on the Swell Season in the past few years, but with the Frames still gigging (and also set to play this year's Electric Picnic), there would be no better time than 2010 for some new material from Ireland's greatest rock band. Until that happens, however, we still have Glen and Marketa churning out gorgeous duets, as well as reissues of the Frames' breakout albums to keep us going.



7. The Holy Roman Army
Fellow Carlovians, the Holy Roman Army appeared on the scene last year with their amazing electronic record How the Light Gets In. Their song 'Stagger Gently Home' was a captivating track, and after appearing on Nialler9's MAP gained attention all over the world. They are similarly amazing live, and have really honed their live act since I first saw them early last year. They've also followed up that debut album with a fantastic covers EP, Desecrations, which can be downloaded for free here.



6. Oliver 'Ollie' Cole
Ollie Cole is best known for being the frontman in Irish pop-rockers Turn. They made some incredible albums during their time together, with Forward being the standout. However, on his own, Cole is proving to be even better. He released his debut solo album We Albatri last month, and is one of the country's most charming live performers.



5. The Chapters
The Chapters are a bunch of the most down-to-earth musicians in Irish music. After a rocky start with label bankruptcy and the like, the band finally signed with 3ú, who unleashed 'Videotapes' on the world last summer. Since then, the band has been engulfed in success, releasing the fantastic debut album Perfect Stranger, and going on to appear on radio on TV both here and across the pond. They're set to be one of the biggest draws at this year's Indie-pendence on the August Bank Holiday weekend.



4. The Divine Comedy/The Duckworth Lewis Method/Neil Hannon
Like the Frames and the Swell Season for Glen Hansard, these two bands are Neil Hannon's babies. In 2009, Hannon joined forces with Pugwash's Thomas Walsh to record the greatest ever Irish concept album - about a fundamentally British game. It was one of the year's most captivating and charming albums, featuring the utterly brilliant 'Jiggery Pokery'. 2010 sees Hannon back in his old work clothes, with the Divine Comedy due to release their tenth album Bang Goes the Knighthood on May 31st.



3. James Vincent McMorrow
In my review of James Vincent McMorrow's recent debut album Early in the Morning, I called it "the best album to come out of Ireland in a decade". Yes, it's that damn good. The songs from it have been used in an advert for Barnardos as well as on hit US television shows Grey's Anatomy and One Tree Hill. However, this is only the start for McMorrow, who will definitely be the breakout Irish star of 2010.



2. Bell x1
Bell x1 are my favourite live band. Any chance I can get to see them, I take it. Paul Noonan is a fantastic entertainer, and the band are always on form together. The public knows this too, and they easily could have played 365 days at the Olympia or Vicar Street last year. They've come a long way since the days of Juniper, and release wonderful singles as well as enchanting albums. They've also gained a huge following in the US, where they've appeared on primetime television shows - including many great live performances.



1. Fight Like Apes
A bizarre bunch of folks, fronted by the brilliant vocalist MayKay, Fight Like Apes released one of the most-anticipated Irish albums of the 00s, And the Mystery of the Golden Medallion to much fanfare in 2008. It was every bit as good as expected, and was released worldwide last year. Their live show is even better, playing festivals all over Europe last summer, including a standout performance at Glastonbury. They represented Ireland at the Eurosonic Festival last January, which has just been released as the free album Live at Eurosonic. Download that fantastic set here. Ireland's greatest act right now.

Album Review: Oliver Cole - We Albatri

Oliver Cole - We Albatri

Today's review of Oliver Cole's debut album We Albatri in the Irish Times awards the solo record from the Turn frontman five stars. An impressive feat, but what stood out for me reading the review was that when some of the songs were mentioned by name I found myself singing the lyrics in my head. This is the true test of a great pop tune. If someone says the title of 'Can't Get You Out of My Head' or 'Just Dance' or 'Hey Ya', you find yourself immediately humming the tune. The same with many of the songs here. As soon as I read 'Moth's Wing' in that Irish Times review earlier, the chorus popped into my head.

That applies to most of the songs on the record. Opener 'What Will You Do?' is guided by a fantastic piano riff, and has a chorus that sounds eerily like a lot of Jon Brion's Meaningless - and I don't compare anyone to Jon Brion unless I really mean it, the man is a musical deity. This is a fantastic pop song, and the perfect way to begin an album.

All the songs on here are fantastic pop tunes. Single 'Oh My Girl' is irresistibly catchy, with a hook that could win any listener's attention. 'Too Many People' is one a lot of people have heard before, written by Cole for the Cake Sale album, where it was performed by Glen Hansard. Cole's doesn't differ too much from that version, but is sparkling nonetheless. Perhaps an Oscar could be somewhere in the future for Ollie? I could definitely see him scoring movies anyway - there's hints of Randy Newman and Harry Nilsson in here.

There are highlights galore on here. The smooth soulful 'Close Your Eyes' is a gorgeous song, the title track is a sweet piano ballad which requests multiple listens, and 'Little Bad Dream' is an instantly memorable singalong song. Fans of Turn will definitely not be alienated, but new fans will also be captivated by the brilliance of 'Drug Song', probably the album's highest point.

It's impossible to find any flaws with this album. It's a perfect pop record. Not tween/teen pop, but pop for grown-ups. Pop that people raised on the Beatles or the Beach Boys, or even ABBA, can appreciate. Wonderful in every way.

Oh, and after the album has ended, I'm still singing 'Moth's Wing' in my head. I will be all day...

Live: Oliver Cole at the Sugar Club

At the start of the year, Peter over at 2uibestow and myself listed the ten native acts to look out for in our Irish Sound of 2010. One of these acts, Oliver Cole will release his debut album We Albitri on March 26th.

The album was recorded in Germany, and produced by Ciaran Bradshaw (Dark Room Notes, The Chapters, Subplots). In addition to that, it also has guest appearances from a Who's Who of Irish rock: Graham Hopkins (Halite/Boss Volenti), Paul Noonan (Bell X1), Nick Seymour (Crowded House), and Gavin Fox (Turn).

To promote the record, he'll be playing the Sugar Club the following night, on March 27th. Tickets are on sale now, at a price of €13.50. It'll be a great chance to catch the former Turn-mainman before his solo career really takes off.

Watch 'We Albatri' and 2fm interview:

List: Irish Sound of 2010

After last year's succesful Irish Sound of 2009 post between myself and Peter over at 2UIBestow, we have teamed up again to highlight ten acts worth looking out for in 2010. We've picked five acts each, all of which could end up dominating the Irish music scene in the next twelve months.

A Plastic Rose

Belfast based A Plastic Rose consists of equal parts Sligo and Belfast and make the type of Indie Rock music Tim Wheeler dreams about. The vocals are shared by the contrasting styles of Ian and Gerry which results in harmonies not normally associated with the alternative rock genre. So far in their career they have released Eps and Singles with the full LP hopefully out this side of Christmas 2010. Seeing A Plastic Rose live is a must for the new year.

MySpace



The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra

Hailing from Limerick The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra make some wonderful indie folk music which is receiving radio play across the country. They've release two EPs, played Electric Picnic and HWCHs as well as picking up celebrity fans like Paul McCloon and Cormac Battle along the way! 2010 could be the year of The BPLO with the likely release of their debut on the horizon.

MySpace



Candice Gordon

Born in South Africa, but resident here since the age of seven, the Dubliner has an amazing voice as well as a wild backstory including a stint in the circus. But it's the music that really does the talking - it's a deep down dirty whiskey swagger that pulls no punches.

MySpace

Candice Godon - 'Smoking Like the Barrel of a Gun'


Fiach

Is it better to release a number of mediocre albums or wait until the time is right to make and release an amazing debut album? Fiach has been around forever but in February he will finally release that debut album that he has spent years preparing. Fiach is a veteran of many a sessions night clocking up an impressive apprenticeship of live performances. The recent Whelans gigs proved he is equally impressive fronting a band and owning his audience. I think 2010 will find us falling for the singer-songwriter again with Fiach's uplifting songwriting being at the forefront of the movement. February 25th finds Fiach in The Button Factory for the album launch!

MySpace



Henrietta Game

Henrietta Game only formed last January and already they've released a single, selected as Tony Fenton's daily download, performed with the legendary Peter Green and got a high profile slot at The Electric Picnic. Henrietta Game are guitar, cello, violin, glockenspiel and four part harmonies which send shivers down the spine. Henrietta Game is one of the most original bands out there which will appeal to indie kids and folk lovers alike.

MySpace




Oliver "Ollie" Cole

Many of you may remember Ollie Cole as the frontman in the sadly-missed Turn. Well, he's back under the guise Oliver Cole and has signed to EMI. He released the excellent What Will You Do EP last year, and looks set to release full-length debut album We Albatri sometime in 2010.

MySpace

Oliver Cole - 'We Albatri'


Padraig Digan

Padraig was the lead singer with Wallmark and later with Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. In 2005 Wallmark released a great album but Wallmark didn't last much longer after the release. Since then Padraig has been writing a whole bunch of great tunes that will become his debut album this year with Karl Odlum's input. Padraig writes honest emotional songs full of life and character. With luck 2010 will be Padraig's year!

Padraig Dignan



Planet Parade

Clane produces a lot of good music. Planet Parade are the latest act to join Bell x1 and Damien Rice as exports of Kildare's Detroit Rock City. They're a fantastic indie-pop band who have been honing their craft in a live setting - particularly at autumn's Hard Working Class Heroes Festival in Dublin. Check out their EP Ghosts to People, and if you're around, head over to Whelan's on Friday, January 15th to catch them live.

MySpace

Planet Parade - 'Sunshine'


Two Door Cinema Club

With a debut album imminent, Bangor, Co. Down's Two Door Cinema Club could be the biggest Irish act of 2010. They've been hyped by the BBC and Spinner, and will be releasing their first album, Tourist History, on March 1st. They played the Introducing Tent at Glastonbury last year, but expect them to feature higher up the bill at Festivals in 2010, as well as joining the NME Shockwaves Tour throughout the UK and Ireland.

MySpace

Two Door Cinema Club - 'I Can Talk'



We Cut Corners

Ireland's other singing drummer duo Oppenheimer split up over Christmas, but instead of the Nordies' electronic feel, We Cut Corners are a beautiful folk-pop group with songs that sound so much bigger than the sum of their parts. They also joined the lineup at Hard Working Class Heroes in 2009 and featured on RTÉ 2's When Under Ether. Expect to hear much more from them in 2010.

MySpace

We Cut Corners - 'YKK'

Album News: Oliver Cole - What Will You Do? EP

Former Turn frontman Oliver Cole (also known as Ollie) releases his new EP next Friday, the 2nd of October, in advance of his solo album We Albatri which will come out sometime next year. If you've seen Ollie live, you'll have heard the excellent "albatri" story, and if you haven't heard him live, I recommend you go see him somewhere around the country.

Gigs already confirmed are as follows:
1 Oct 2009 21:00
Odessa Club Ep launch Dublin, Dublin
2 Oct 2009 20:00
Upstairs Roisin Dubh Galway, Galway
8 Oct 2009 20:00
Cyprus avenue Cork, Cork
16 Oct 2009 20:00
Button Factory hwch festival Dublin, Dublin