Butterfly Child - Onomatopoeia

  by Steve Kinrade

published: 9 / 2 / 2018

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Format: N/A

intro

In our Re:View section, in which our writers look back on albums from the past, Steve Kinrade reflects on 'Onomatopoeia', the debut album of Butterfly Child, the art rock project of Irish singer-songwriter Joe Cassidy.

“Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety.” It’s always extremely risky to start a review with a quote from the Brummie Bard himself - or should that be from the Marvelous Marlowe - as all that comes after it is, to be generous, second rate. But this was the quote that suddenly came to me whilst listening to this 1993 album from Joe Cassidy. This collection of songs still seems completely fresh, probably in no small way to the minimal production that was employed. If you have limited ingredients to your disposal, its hard to over-egg the pudding. The album starts with a sonic rumbling to that of Saturn V awaiting the release mechanism on the launch pad, and then......we are suddenly confronted with the musical ying to the opening yang - 'Our Lady Mississippi'. We have arrived in new wonderful world of pop aural sensibilities, which will continue. This is the sonic blue-print for 2015’s 'Lost in These Machines'. There is a lightness of touch, the first rays of sunshine start to be seen, then felt, inherent in such tracks as the jaunty 'Lunar Eclipse', the zeitgeist-tapping 'Young Virgins Call For Mutiny' and 'Triumphant'. But we are also presented with the more experimental: the ambient warmth and optimism of 'X:Celsius' and 'Verte Ecole'. As a newbie to the world of Butterfly Child, 'Onomatopoeia' is a wonderful musical gate-way to their later care. Looking back to the time it was recorded, you can spot the sonic signposts of the time, but you have to puff out you cheeks and marvel at the dexterity and creative fashion of how it was assembled. 'Stars Light Up Orleans' could be an art installation soundtrack and the album closer, 'Eva', switches from the pastoral to sonic heaviness. The ying-yang returns to conclude the album in a highly satisfactory manner. If you aren’t already familiar with Butterfly Child, then this is, as I have said, an ideal introduction to their artistic world. However, if you are already an aficionado, it serves as a delightful reminder of the richness that was to come.

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