Chordblossom
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
    • Music Reviews
    • Live Reviews
  • Features
    • Articles
    • Festivals
    • Fresh NI Music
    • Interviews
    • Introducing
    • Win
  • Media
    • Playlists
    • Photosets
    • Podcast
    • Sessions
    • Transmission
    • TV
  • Kickstart
  • Chordblossom Gigs
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • Mailing List
    • Vacancies
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
    • Music Reviews
    • Live Reviews
  • Features
    • Articles
    • Festivals
    • Fresh NI Music
    • Interviews
    • Introducing
    • Win
  • Media
    • Playlists
    • Photosets
    • Podcast
    • Sessions
    • Transmission
    • TV
  • Kickstart
  • Chordblossom Gigs
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • Mailing List
    • Vacancies
No Result
View All Result
Chordblossom
No Result
View All Result

Tom McConnell- Scraps

Darren McCullins by Darren McCullins
November 8, 2013
in Music Reviews
Tom McConnell- Scraps

Tom McConnell - Scraps EP cover
Male singer-songwriters, there’s a lot of them isn’t there? With thanks to dear Damien Rice for condemning the lonesome male musician to forever shake the depression tag, Tom McConnell has got something rather happy going on in his debut EP Scraps. The young Portstewart export has served up four songs that amount to just less than twenty minutes of ear companionship. Having taken Scraps in, it seems clear that McConnell has captured a time in his life: nice to see in a young musician as this important feature often goes missing when sitting down to write something that might just get you noticed.

Scraps opens with ‘Dead Man’s Shoes’, this chirpy song title now has you reverting to the opening Damien Rice reference and how this guy is actually fairly feel good: don’t be disheartened, I have not led you astray. The title doesn’t give much room jazz hands and stretching smiles but the rhythmic clicks and general tone of the track gives the EP a probing folk-soul atmosphere right from the off. The first track also tells us that Tom McConnell sings his songs and that is a major pillar in how he constructs them. This singing idea also means a lack of that lazy muttering thing some lesser known singer-songwriters lend. As an opening track, it sends us along the right path.

ADVERTISEMENT

Next up is ‘Show You How’, the song that is most likely to have your friend turn to ask who this fellow is that you have playing. The upbeat soulful sway is that happy thing I was talking about earlier plus there is the added bonus of hearing the comforting homeland accent as he sings ‘how’. The penultimate track is entitled Flags not Flegs, somewhat disappointingly. It is a fine collection of acoustic guitar slapping and feet stomping, and is atmospheric and purposeful for the most part. One downfall however is the unexplainable Tom Waits-esque interludes which come from nowhere and really, in truth, do not fit the character of Scraps as a whole. Sending us off is ‘Old Edinburgh Town’. In terms of general character this is the lone wolf of the EP as McConnell slows the pace in his love letter to the four flippant youthful years he spent in the Scottish capital before relocating to South-East England. Its genuine words send the image Tom in the city streets; rucksack on back, guitar in hand and a grimacing smile. It is a personal goodbye that attests that this EP is the artefact to mark the closing of a chapter of Tom McConnell’s life, what could be the first of a number as a musician.

As a debut EP, Scraps is a confident attempt that is obviously composed with purpose. Stand out songs are a tossup between Old Edinburgh Town and Show You How, although each will give you something different. Reminiscent of London born Bobby Long in his ‘folk-soul with a touch of blues’ slant, Tom McConnell has the beginnings of what could become his signature style and the foundations to take his music further to really push his head above the masses of guitar slung men who share his dreams. It will be interesting to see where McConnell’s songs to follow will take him; I just hope he leaves his Tom Waits imitation in the shower when a follow up EP or album finds its way to our ears.

◀ STANDOUT ⁞ Old Edinburgh Town ▶
◀ SOUNDS LIKE ⁞ Bobby Long ▶

Leave a Comment ⁞

Tags: Darren McCullinsScrapsTom McConnell
ShareTweetShareShareSendSend
Previous Post

Dan Reed Network @ The Diamond Rock Club 19th October 2013

Next Post

Screaming Eagles – ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Soul’

Related Posts

travis is a tourist
Fresh Northern Irish Music

Watch: Travis Is A Tourist – B e f o r e u g o g o

March 26, 2018
James Vincent McMorrow – 28th January 2017
Live Reviews

James Vincent McMorrow – 28th January 2017

February 1, 2017

Recent Posts

Invaderband - Photography by Michael McGlinchey

Invaderband – 18 June 2022

June 23, 2022
Stream: Clara Tracey – Baby Witch

Stream: Clara Tracey – Baby Witch

June 22, 2022
Stendhal Festival 2022 Header

Stendhal Announce Day Line-Ups For 2022

June 21, 2022

Twitter

Instagram

Follow

  • Invaderband at Bennigans on Saturday night.

Photos by Michael McGlinchey
  • Ex-Isles at the Empire Music Hall on Friday night.

Photos by Ben Lamming

Spotify Playlist

Fresh Music From Northern Ireland

Mailing List

  • About Chordblossom
  • Kickstart
  • Music Reviews
  • Live Reviews
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Photos
  • Fresh Music From Northern Ireland Playlist
  • Chordblossom Gigs
  • Mailing List

© 2020 Chordblossom

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
    • Music Reviews
    • Live Reviews
  • Features
    • Articles
    • Festivals
    • Fresh NI Music
    • Interviews
    • Introducing
    • Win
  • Media
    • Playlists
    • Photosets
    • Podcast
    • Sessions
    • Transmission
    • TV
  • Kickstart
  • Chordblossom Gigs
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • Mailing List
    • Vacancies

© 2020 Chordblossom

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT