Gavin Glass is the acknowledged leader in what has been described, not inaccurately, as “Eirecana” – a blend of American roots styles with a distinct if subtle Irish sensibility. That said you’d be hard pressed to distinguish much of the material on his fourth album from anything that has emerged from say North Carolina, Portland Oregon or Austin over the last decade or so. Glass has absorbed every facet and nuance of the genre, and with his production background manages to get the sound spot-on too.
The opening, title track is a lilting, country-rock ballad that recalls early Wilco; ‘Better Left Alone’ boasts Lonesome pedal steel, finger-picked acoustic; while straight-up rock and roll is evident on ‘Light Heart’, a smouldering stew of a tune to which is added celestial harmonies. In contrast, the stripped down, sepia-toned ‘Silhouettes’ is part front-parlor balladry, blended with cinematic orchestral textures and a heartfelt vocal. Elsewhere, the verse segment of ‘First Stone’ slightly recalls that of Bob Dylan’s ‘To Make You Feel My Love; ‘Rise & Fall’ is epic and poignant; and ‘New Lovers Arms’ is yet another emotionally charged slow-burner with hints of Tom Petty and Neil Young at their more contemplative. A fine record...

Key Track - 'Rise & Fall'