Music Reviews
Here are some of the really good singers that Ireland has.Damien Rice '...I discovered that the better songs I have written are the ones that come really fast, where I stop trying to be a songwriter, stop trying to be anything, and just live, experience and be free...' So says Mr Damien Rice, whose 2002 release, 'O', has been doing rather well... having conquered Vicar St, Rice returns to play Whelan's on 13th and 14th April and Cork's Lobby on the 21st.
Van Morrison The man scored his first hit single as lead singer with Them in 1965, with 'Baby Please Don't Go'. In 1968, he released his debut solo album Astral Weeks, still widely regarded as one of the most important records of the past 50 years. Van's had a remarkable career lurching from divine inspiration to ordinary brilliance to mediocrity and back again. He plays the Olympia on May 3rd and 4th - a more intimate venue than most. Support comes from Bap Kennedy.
Jimmy Eat World 'Not asking of me anything, saying nothing about what it means, without anybody telling me what I should feel...' Jimmy Eat World is a (beautifully named) band whose only agenda is to let the listener decide for themselves without pretense. Jimmy Eat World are back at the Ambassador on May 23. Book now if you want to be there.
The White Stripes Some music journalists have proclaimed this Detroit duo as nothing less than the future of Rock'n'Roll. Jack and Meg White may be brother and sister but they're certainly not the new Carpenters - their music has a manic, intense quality that often makes for highly uneasy listening. They play Dublin Castle on May 4th. If you're feeling curious, check out last year's brilliant White Blood Cells.
