France’s Loire Valley has become something of a home from home for independent Irish artists. The lure of ‘The garden of France’ combined with Karl Odlum’s production skills have seen an influx of Irish acts such as David Kitt, The Frames and Gemma Hayes to the region's Black Box studios.
Offaly’s Wallmark continue the association. Recorded last August, their debut, Everything, Something, Anything, is like a mish mash of some of this country’s better acts over the last number of years. ‘Ten %’ has shades of Ten Speed Racer to it, while tracks like ‘Hey Girl’, ‘Melodies & Lines’ and ‘Starlight’ owe a considerable debt to The Frames. For the most part, though Wallmark tread similar territory to Bell X1. It’s all sweeping vocals, slow burning guitar lines and subtly building rhythms. Raw epics a la The Frames are a particular speciality. Jagged guitars and dingy riffs pepper ‘Closed’ and standout track ‘Dryland’ which seems to build and build. It’s here where Wallmark are at their best. Odlum’s unpolished production is worn well and, when it’s drawn to the forefront, benefits Padraig Digan’s vocal in particular. Things go askew on ‘No Name #1’, a tribute to Elliot Smith, with the vocals baring a horrible American tinge akin to The Thrills. They’re much more interesting when they stick to singing in their Offaly brogue.
As a debut, Everything, Something, Anything is for the most part a passable listen. However, like many first albums, there’s a feeling of unfulfilled potential about it. The recording process sounds rushed and greater attention to detail would have made for a more satisfying record. Wallmark certainly have something but on this occasion they’ve failed to say it in an interesting way. There’s a lack of an edge to them and, ultimately, their biggest problem is that we’ve heard this record before, only done better.