A Loughrea, Co. Galway native, Ultan Conlon has been gigging for the best part of a decade. He was once part of a duo called UltanJohn and appeared on a John Martyn recording shortly before the Scottish legend passed away in 2009. Broadly occupying a stylistic base that straddles Americana, classic melodic pop and singer-songwriter fare, his distinctive, fragile voice is reminiscent of troubadours such as M Ward, Ron Sexsmith and Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam, among others.
Recorded in Ireland and the UK with a large ensemble of musicians (including Callum McColl on a couple of tracks) Songs of Love So Cruel showcases a real talent at work, someone not afraid to spread his wings beyond the confines of his chosen genre. Opening track ‘In The Mad’ is a gloriously jangly, melodic slice of power-pop – think The LA’s ‘There She Goes’ meets the Bangles ‘Manic Monday’ with a hint of Tunnel of Love-era Springsteen. In complete contrast, ‘Eternally’ is a more downbeat ballad, while the country-rock-ish ‘The Lumberjack, You & Me’ wouldn’t sound out of place on one of Wilco’s more recent offerings. Meanwhile, the charmingly jaunty ‘Lonely Avenues’ is an irresistible song with a memorable melody and tasteful playing, making it a definite highlight.
Elsewhere, he changes tack on the heavier, guitar-dominated ‘A Place of Sanctuary’, while an acoustic guitar and the soft shuffle of a rhythm underpins ‘Dance to Paper Roses’ (which recalls Ryan Adams’ lovely ‘Oh My Sweet Carolina’). At times he wears his influences heavily on his sleeve: ‘Bristtlecone Pines’ boasts a strong Harvest-era Neil Young flavour, while the opening acoustic guitar progression on ‘The River Flows & The Woods Creep’ recalls Jackson Browne’s ‘These Days’. But it is all good...