Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
Outside of Liverpool, there are few towns and cities within the British Isles that appear to have engrained themselves so much on the artistic community, the singers, the musicians, the poets, writers, and playwrights.
London has its moments with groups such as Madness, a band of brothers who embody the London vibe and belief, but Liverpool, the city fed daily by the ebb and flow of the Mersey, that is the place where art takes on a different meaning, it is the place where the soul of the city emerges into every avenue where a word is written, where the sound of violin can emulate and evoke the imagery of the city; and where artists and their audiences revel in their uniqueness.
Liverpool is also the place where anyone can release a debut album and nobody will bat an eyelid of indifference, arguably because the people understand keenly how important it is to be true to your own voice, and for Matt McManamon, that voice is captured superbly in his own debut release, Scally Folk.
The roguish self-assurance that the name implies, is not meant as a criticism, used frequently by others in their detriment of the city, but in endearment, in honour, for the album, whist very much in the hands of the artist, has the feel of it being produced for the people, a rare act of sharing, one on the same way that Liverpool musicians such as Alan O’Hare and Stuart Todd reflect upon the city, with poetic beauty and sincerity, of an autobiographical nature.
The former frontman of The Dead 60s takes the audience through a fearsome ride of expression and exploration, one that sees the opening track, Gaslighting, cling to the skin of the listener and set the bar high for what is to follow, and as songs such as Mulranny Smiles, Here Comes The Fear, Jumpin’ The Gun, Liberty Shore, the timely Meet Me By The River, and I Ran Away, Matt McManamon takes the pursuit of the elder statesman of music and flourishes them with the thoughts and ideals that he has utilised since he wore a younger man’s clothes.
Scally Folk is perhaps the point of understanding that whilst we must age, we can still be loyal to our ultimate destination and dreams that we had when we knew every alleyway, every brick and cracked piece of mortar, that the boisterous outlook we had, was just the beating heart of the self-assured leaving their mark for us to follow later. In that sense of belief, Scally Folk is rightfully to be seen as assured as the term suggests, but it is also one of honouring the memory of your youth, of being proud to add to the duty and respect of the people who raised you up so you could pay tribute to them later.
A superb piece of musical art, Matt McManamon debut solo album will surely take pride of place in anyone’s collection.
Matt McManamon releases Scally Folk is released on May 28th.
Ian D. Hall