'Songs Of Love So Cruel' is the latest long player from Galway born singer/songwriter Ultan Conlon, and follows on from his 2009 debut 'Bless Your Heart'. The five year wait between the two has been a period of maturity and this is reflected in the brilliant instrumentation that complements the lyrics so well.
There are ten sons on the album, veering between folk, pop and country tinged music. The opening track 'In The Mad' has been released as the lead single in advance of the album, and is a pop ballad classic. When the publicity blurb describe Ultan as having a Roy Orbison moment when writing this, they are not wrong. This is just the sort of stuff that made Roy a legend, and if Ultan keeps writing and arranging music like this, then he is sure to follow.
The lush arrangement is augmented by a string ensemble, which adds to the atmosphere and the dynamics of the song. The lyrics refer to the idea of an older man who has been married for a long time, but seen the relationship flounder due to an ability to communicate, to try and win back her love. As a song, it's near perfect: - “It's could and lonely and my mind is bruised/ It's been such a long time since the screws came loose/ Now that I've got time, for there are no lines to say I can't return/ I live in the mad, It's wild and desolate in this no hope land/ You could come for me. I'm still that man, the one on bended knee”.
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What I like about this album is Ultan's delivery, he sings the songs as though he's really lived through every moment in a voice that frequently soars. His lyrical imagery is spot on when discussing love, loss and emotions, such as on the atmospheric and bass driven 'A Place Of Sanctuary': - “Oh foolish me, with such far outlandish dreams/ I play a daily lottery, not scratch cards for money/ For this love that I can't win”.
Overall, there is not a duff track on the album. If you like your music deep and meaningful, bristling with emotion and passion, then this is certainly the album for you. It stands up really well against any pop balladeer, and knocks spots off most of the modern day crap that infests the airwaves. Ultan Conlon deserves to be a superstar.
Ultan Conlon online record store
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