Any doubts as to the healthy state of the current Irish rock scene are dispelled by the exultant opening bars of north Dublin’s Saccade’s ‘Wastin’ My Time’. And from there on, it just gets better.
That blustering track, with brash touches of the RHCPs, is already a radio fave. And that’s the band’s forte, an unapologetic ability to craft weighty rock songs that also have that soft pop underbelly to help propel them to the masses. The Stipe-ish ‘Muff’ follows and ‘See How They Fly’ is another charmer, blending elements of U2 with The Coronas, Bell X1 and a joyously catchy chorus. The U2 influence is at play again on the sinewy ‘Last Tango’ while there are hints of The Beach Boys and Jon Anderson in the vocals and melody of the classy ‘Lemkin’. ‘Breathe’ is sexily sultry and more restrained. ‘Poor Boy’ is heavy on the riffage, a neat counterpoint to Steve Walker’s lissom vocal. The pleading ‘Hang On’ is a ballad in the Elton/Rufus Wainwright tradition, given an impeccable vocal performance by Walker, who is a real find.
There’s a sense of urgency and contemporary relevance in how Saccade apply themselves to their sharp material. This debut caps a vintage year for them, and it’s not over yet.