Tom Dunne: Let's hear it for Sack, Gavin Friday, and the other late re-bloomers
A House in 1991, with Dave Couse in centre. (Photo by Martyn Goodacre/Getty Images)
A House’s 1991 album I Am the Greatest remains as powerful a piece of work now as it was when it was first released. It’s the album that contained the single 'Endless Art' and that was one of those songs that changed everything for the band.
It was the single that, to paraphrase Bono, got them gigs, an audience, BBC airplay, reviews, attention, a better record deal. It opened doors, took them places, took on an energy of its own. The type of song we all, no matter what stage we are at, hope someday to write.
But it is the title track that still haunts me. In it a musician, whose music has not given Pearl Jam a run for their money, reflects on his position. He has not sold out. He has not pandered to popular taste. He has made music he believes in.
He can look into the eyes of anyone who challenges him and say, with no irony, “I am the Greatest.” I agree with the sentiment. For me the bands that strove, that remained true – Microdisney, MBV, Whipping Boy, Rollerskate Skinny et al., - are now and will forever be The Greatest.
But it doesn’t go away. The opportunity to peruse it might, when the sales don’t come reality – a day job beckons, but the hunger, the talent and the ability don’t. And if bands can find a way to survive, a late bloom is never something you can discount.
The last few months have seen albums released by artists who first bloomed decades ago. But the artistry, the power and singleness of vision remains undiminished. And now, older, wiser, more comfortable in the studio, they are better than ever. Get these albums.
Sack initially came to the public attention in 1994 with the brilliantly named single 'What Have the Christians Ever Done for Us?' It was followed in 1997 by the album Butterfly Effect. Singles 'Latitude' and 'Laughter Lines' sound as fresh now, as Alvvays-esque as ever.
Guitarist John Brereton writes the songs that singer Martin McCann – often described, and I wouldn’t question it, as the Finglas Sinatra – brings to heart thumping life. This album, a contender for album of the year, is stunning.
Gavin and his first band, The Virgin Prunes, were, for those of us lucky enough to see both bands live in the early 80s, a darker, artier version of U2. That edginess later informed a lot of U2’s Zoo TV Mephisto aesthetic, and brilliantly so.
But this is an album only Gavin could make. Gavin is one of those who can claim to have been raised by both Catholicism and David Bowie. Those energies runs through this album’s veins with reflections on the passing of time – When We Were Young- the loss of loved ones, his mum, Sinead, Hal Wilner and even a canine friend. The songs, produced by Soft Cells’ Dave Ball are the best of his career.
Jerry describes this as a labour of love, five years in the making. In the sleeve notes he reveals it as his first vinyl record in 34 years and his first LP in 15 years. The album is a tribute to the impossibly beautiful songs of Daniel Johnson.
Johnson was a gentle soul with numerous mental health issues who recorded his songs to cassette and gave them out to customers when he worked in McDonalds in Austin, Texas.
There is a childlike innocence to them and an undiminished charm. Jerry is the master of their performance.
Picking up where she left off after a break of 10 years - families are demanding things – Gemma once again weaves the lyrical and vocal magic that saw her 2002 debut Night on My Side earn a Mercury Nomination.
Smoother than a late 90s double decaf Capuchino, The Devlins return with the kind of sophisticated swagger that would give Bryan Ferry pause for thought. It was always sumptuous, other worldly, rich and indulgent. And guess what? It still is.
And they are not alone. Driven Snow, equal parts Delorentos and Republic of Loose, bring a kind of hard-won refection and beauty to everything they touch.
I could add A Lazarus Soul to this, the members there also have former bands to talk about, but I won’t. A Lazarus Soul are a whole other article. Right now, they are The Greatest.
