Barry McCormack: Cut Throat Lane

Master Barry McCormack has been surfing on the fringes of the Irish music industry for so long now, he must surely be wondering what he can do to cut those fringes into a straight line. Straight lines, however, aren't McCormack's thing, but what is wonderful about his (surprising) new album is how he twists those often meandering lines into new shapes that still complement his songwriting style. Cut Throat Lane is more musically substantial than any of his previous records – past forays in sparse folk-balladic idioms have been replaced with what amounts to a full band sound. The result is a rolling/rocking indie folk stew, Dylanesque with a hard Dublin accent. There is surely not a better narrative lyricist in Ireland; all 10 tracks brim with real life in all of its sticky, boiling mess. Brilliant. barrymccormack.com
Download: The Night Before the Horse Fair, Worse Things happen at Sea, The Gods Are Truly Miffed