Ray Heffernan & The Grand Canal Band: New Dress Woven

Ray Who? How about the Ray who had a hand in kick-starting the careers of Declan O'Rourke and Wallis Bird, and who signed away the rights to Robbie Williams's million-selling Angels . Undaunted, the Dubliner returns with a new, often perplexing album that references Patrick Kavanagh (the title is inspired by the poet's Canal Bank Walk ), the 1981 Stardust nightclub tragedy ( Stardust ) and a historic Dublin pub ( Gravediggers ). Now based in northern Italy, Heffernan is accompanied by seasoned Italian musicians; the problem isn't the musicianship but the musical styles, which zigzag from bland Eurovision fodder ( Carparking ) and efficient ethnic pop ( Amy's Answer ) to mind-
boggling blends of Fountains of Wayne and Pink Floyd ( As You Were ). Sometimes weird, sometimes good – but we're not exactly sure why.
rayheffernan. net
Download: Amy's Answer