John McCullagh and The Escorts - New Born Cry
by Anthony Strutt
published: 8 / 6 / 2015
Label:
359 Music
Format: CD
intro
Excellent second album from Doncaster-based teenager John McCullagh whose vocal range matches Bob Dylan
John McCullagh has dropped his middle name of Lennon since his first album 'North South Divide' and got himself a band, the Escorts. Having made a name for himself with his debut and for being the first artist on Alan McGee's new label 359 Music, he now releases 'New Born Cry', which is a long way away from 'North South Divide'. It was produced by ex La's man, John Power, whose other band Cast have recently reunited. The opening track 'She's Calling Me' in fact sounds a lot like Cast, being both fan friendly and guaranteed to get feet a moving. 'Towerland Lullaby' combines a Britpop fresh sound with the edge of those cheeky monkeys from Sheffield. 'Box of Tricks' has a commercial feel to it, and is a catchy pop number with a grip to it. John returns to his roots with 'Patterns', which is a reflective solo number. He appears on the next track 'Angel of the North' playing a mouth organ, which, a very poppy number, is reminiscent of Neil Young in places. 'Sal Paradise', about the main character in Jack Kerouac's 'On the Road',is a very fast country number, and John sounds on it like Bob Dylan. 'Between the Lines' is intelligent poetry, with a steady beat behind it. 'Division Street' is a sing-a-long number, perfect for the new festival season. 'A New Day', which is stripped to its roots and raw, once again recalls the young Bob Dylan 'Dead Letters' is a soft and reflective slow burner, while 'New York City', the noisiest track on the album, will have fans bopping straight away. Teenage kicks, eh... An excellent and eclectic album.
Track Listing:-
1 She's Calling Me2 Towerland Lullaby (New Mix)
3 Box of Tricks
4 Patterns
5 Angel of the North
6 Sal Paradise
7 Between the Lines
8 Division Street
9 A New Day
10 Dead Letters
11 New York City
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/JohnMcCullaghOfficialhttps://twitter.com/johnmccullagh_
Label Links:-
https://twitter.com/359musichttp://359music.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/359music
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