Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
There is no escaping the fact that this year will go down in history as one of the most exhausting, perhaps demanding years of anyone’s life, certainly as a society in the Western world which aside from brief or continued acts of terrorism, aside from natural disasters, have arguably been untouched by any disturbance to the Christmas celebration since World War Two.
Even then we were perhaps fortunate, and have been certainly ever since, that Christmas, that time of year where the misty eyed traditionalist and the loved up optimist shake hands and regale the world with stories and emotion, whilst all around the sound of tills have rang out merrily and in tune to the consumerist drive.
Even the arts will find a way to remind us of such times, and it is to the writing of Charles Dickens that the excess of the period is to be found in its embryonic state, not content with giving thanks for the year and being around loved ones, we have been induced to think of nothing more than glittering prizes and volume rather than offering appreciation and gratefulness to our family and friends in a deeper, more spiritual way, and whilst Christmas will not be the same, certainly this year, we must remember and recognise that gifts that come with a monetary value may be nice, the real pleasure will be found in communicating with those you have not been able to see, to touch, to hold.
It is with genuine pleasure that Sinead McConville and Darragh Cullen understand this, and without walking down the avenue of nostalgia or being tempted into the streets with songs that embrace the era of Slade, the well-intentioned but ultimately cheesy memories of the rush for a number one festive hit, and instead take the time that this year we will be missing many because Christmas Ain’t The Same (Miles and Miles Away) because we have forgotten a belief once held dear, that the time is not about drinking one’s self silly, spending so much we end up in debt the following year, but acknowledging those that cannot be by our sides, those that cannot travel, those this year certainly have been unable to leave their homes and connect on a personal level than ever.
This beautiful and spiritually uplifting ballad is testament to both artists, they capture a truth in the song, and one that holds a responsibility to other song-writers and musicians, to artists everywhere to show the way, to move away from the consumerist belief, and instead being thankful that there will be a time when the one who is a distance away, will soon be able to be by your side again.
A genuine song of human belief, touching, consistent and beautiful!
Sinead McConville & D Cullen release Christmas Ain’t The Same (Miles and Miles Away) on Wednesday 2nd December.
Ian D. Hall