Diamond Side

Paul McLaney has had a varied and interesting career to date – being a key contributor to Gramsci, SJD and Concord Dawn, among others. According to McLaney himself, his previous solo effort Edin was somewhat of a watershed for him as a solo performer and when commenting on this collection he reveals the intent of writing songs with just voice and guitar as “the entire framework outside of the lyric” as he puts it.

So the sound then, is finger picked acoustic guitar and voice. No extra instruments – no overdubs – and a dynamic level that palpably ignores the epic levels of volume apparently necessary nowadays. The result is a compelling combination of intimacy and intensity that earns your attention instead of screaming for it.

Finding reference points for McLaney’s voice is hard – a good thing – and his own citing of influences like Dylan and Nick Drake refer more to song writing intent than vocal style. Throughout though, one is put in mind of the best moments of the Californian singer songwriters of the 70s. Initmate, lyrical and more country tinged than blues flavoured.

Highlights prove difficult to single out as well, but if you wanted a representative sample, check out Love Song To Cupid and Like I’ve Never Heard It Before.

Diamond Side is a collection of songs that matches up with the expectations of the writer, which is no mean achievement, and is something of which Paul McLaney should be justifiably proud.