With These Hands – Michael J. Sheehy And The Hired Mourners

Here is one of the most intriguing and interesting records this year so far. For his 6th album Michael J. Sheehy has written a song cycle which tells the story of Francis Delaney, a fictional prize fighter whose life unravels after he takes a dive in the most important fight of his career. The story is told through the eyes of Delaney himself and other characters such as the fight promoters, the punters and his opponent.
This is a concept album like I like. The other one who comes to my mind is an other album about boxing: the one and only one Ghosts Of The Great Highway from Sun Kil Moon.
With These Hands should cement Sheehy’s growing reputation as a gifted storyteller and a musician with a unique voice. And not to forget, Gemma Ray as a lead vocal on the beautiful Frankie My Darling.
The new album will be out on the 6th of July in Europe only.

Web: michaeljsheehy.info/album
MySpace: myspace.com/michaeljsheehy
MySpace: myspace.com/gemmaraymusic
Label: glitterhouse.com

Gemma Ray - Rise of the Runts .mp3

So Far So Good – The Decemberists

What happened since the beginning of the year? Nothing much! I already mentioned here how much I like Barbara Morgenstern and Science For Girls latest works as well as Vetiver’s fourth album. Of course, I didn’t miss the release of the new PJ Harvey, but I need more time to listen to it before I should review it or not here on Leaky Sparrow. What else? Animal Collective, of course, but it was in January. The Leonard Cohen Live and Neil Young’s Fork In The Road because it’s Leonard and Neil... But, the best discovery so far for me is The Decemberists. I missed their previous albums, it’s a good find for me and I really like this concept album around a love story: The Hazards Of Love (Rough Trade Records)

Web: www.decemberists.com

The Decemberists - Shiny.mp3 from 5 Songs (2003)