The 10" for "The End of History" was delivered to me via mail and like many of my promos it sat around collecting dust in my office for ages. Not only does it take time to listen to everything I get but some days I skip listening to promos all together just because the ratio of me liking a new record is slim these days. I knew a tiny bit about Fionn Regan as I had read his one sheet but like many industry types, I have learned to never trust a piece of paper filled with a stranger's word no less when they compare his music to Nick Drake, Elliott Smith, and Damien Rice. Truthfully a debut release by a 20 something year old singer songwriter didn't scream LISTEN TO ME NOW!!!!
Much to my pleasant surprise the record was delicate, lovely, and made the hair on the back of my arm stand on end. When any of his songs pop up in my iTunes shuffle i I find myself immediately and wonderfully distracted. His songs literally and psychically call for me to sit up and take notice. Its embarrassing to admit that I am tempted to lean into my computer as if it would allow me to have a closer, more careful listen.
There are several surprises here. Not only do I love a new artist's record from start to finish but I am even willing to back up the words found on the one sheet. When Fionn gets compared to some to the best folk artists known to man, he has actually earned it.
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