Patrick Kelleher & His Cold Dead Hands‘ second album was never going to be exactly the same sound as his debut You Look Cold. Where that album traded on the sounds of leftfield electronica, experimental and ambient music, Golden Syrup moves between the shadows and sub-genres of electronica and ambient music into deeper territory.
Golden Syrup is more nuanced than its predecessor taking in gothic noir electronica, spectral pop, woozy ’80s synthesizers, “whacked-out ghost disco”, “kraut-disco” and Italo-influenced numbers.
Patrick Kelleher’s voice is much more versatile too. From the Ian Curtis-esque croon of ‘Seen Me Blue’ to the rather sweet and gentle tones of ‘Broken Up Now,’ he exudes a confidence which was always lurking in the music but it now sure of itself. John Maus is a good comparison in that regard. Golden Syrup is also more of a band record, so it’s harder to define overall with its mesh of styles and sounds. Give it lots of spins.
Golden Syrup gets a launch this Friday in The Grand Social with support Declan Q Kelly, Magic Pocket & DJs Mici Durnin & School Tour. (€10).
Pre-order – LP vinyl (w/ mp3 Download code) | Digipak CD
Patrick Kelleher & His Cold Dead Hands – Golden Syrup by osakaRecords
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
sounds great, I want one !
absolutely fantastic
I saw them live supporting Dan Deacon at the Button Factory. Have never seen a bunch to take themselves so seriously and look like they’re totally not enjoying themselves. What’s the point of playing live when CONSTANT communication/strained looks/pointing at the sound guy is necessary to attempt to relay the complexity of the current piece being performed. Really didn’t get it.