Yes, it’s another Irish singer-songwriter. Running Dog is Nick Kelly’s second album, following on from his acclaimed solo debut Between Trapezes, which saw him pip the likes of Van Morrison and Paul Brady to the coveted ‘Best Solo Artist’ gong at the 1998/1999 hotpress Irish Music Critics awards.
It may have taken nearly eight years for the follow up but confirmation that it was worth the wait comes almost immediately. The Steve Osborne remixed single ‘You’re Gonna Fall’ opens proceedings and bounces along breezily. Kelly’s vocals are reserved and understated to the point where it often sounds like he’s not really singing. Even on rockier tunes like ‘Don’t Stay Inside’ the words casually drift from his mouth, and oddly, this is what is attractive about much of Running Dog.
‘You Will Love Again’ is evidence of Kelly’s ability to build around a simple structure and the slight chorus lifts tenderly on a sharp melody. There’s nothing particularly special about songs like ‘Home Boy’ and ‘Not Enough Love (To Go Around),’ but they sink into your subconscious quite quickly. In some ways he’s like Nick Cave in this regard.
Only once, on ‘The Loneliest Ghost In Pere Lachaise’, does Kelly fall flat, though this is eminently forgivable. Running Dog is an album for that drive into the country or that Sunday afternoon with a good book. Recommended listening.