Fran King was one of the finalists on You’re A Star, but don’t let that put you off. Beautification, the Terenure native’s debut album, is an assured collection of sun-kissed shimmery pop/rock, equal parts Crowded House and Elvis Costello, with a smattering of Elliott Smith and Brendan Benson thrown in for good measure.
King spent 15 years honing his craft, playing ‘Paul’ in The Classic Beatles and this time spent with some of the finest pop melodies ever produced has served him well. The 12 compositions here, from the opening title track to the Cole Porter-esque ‘hidden’ song at the end, display an ear for a simple but effective tune that should stand him in good stead with the radio programmers of this world.
‘Fine Day’ is begging to be one of the feelgood hits of the summer, bursting forth from the speakers with carefree abandon. ‘Misunderstood’ (the song he performed on the TV show) has one of those choruses that bangs around in your head long after you’ve left the house, refusing to budge until you replace it with something equally infectious.
Elsewhere, ‘When You Come Around’ proves that he has more of the realist than hopeless romantic about him, as he reaffirms to a former partner that they have no future together, while the impressive ‘Two Souls’ sees the Dubliner displaying his more vulnerable side.
The album’s midsection is a little flabby, with ‘Save It (For Another Day)’ and ‘Maine (Exit 35)’ sounding like Fran-by-numbers. However, he’s back on form by album’s end, with the superb harmonies on ‘Dearly Departed’ and the old-school romance of ‘Waiting’, featuring Nick Seymour on bass.
Indeed, King is ably aided throughout the album by some of the country’s finest musicians, from Mundy/Las Vegas Basement’s Keith Farrell on bass to former Picture House man turned solo singer Duncan Maitland (who also produced the album) and current Frames sticksman John Boyle. Even the greatest musicians can’t do a whole lot without a decent song, however, and it is testament to King that the majority of his compositions are worthy of the company he keeps.