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Declan O'Rourke's debut album, Since Kyabram, documented the songwriter's mixed upbringing between Ireland and Australia, marrying modern Irish folk with commercial rock music the same way Bruce Springsteen did with the Appalachian variety. With his second record (since Since Kyabram, so to speak), Big Bad Beautiful World, O'Rourke steers his music in a more consciously epic direction, placing strings (courtesy of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra) and wistful keyboards where brash electric guitars may once have been. The lead single and title track, "Big Bad Beautiful World," opens the album on a positive note with bright acoustic guitars and a gradually unfolding full-band arrangement. "Save Your Soul" has parallels with Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" as well as countryman Kieran Goss, while dynamic standout "Whatever Else Happens" best showcases the detached yet oddly inviting vocal style that remains the album's most defining feature. "Man of Peace" and "One Day in War" make subtle criticism of silly things like war, the former opening with the arresting line "He needed someone so God chose me to reveal some of his most precious secrets," while the latter uses a chorus of snare rolls and flutes to evoke the cheery idealism of armed conflict. However, for all its theatrical flair, Big Bad Beautiful World is just a little too safe, rarely going out on a limb melodically or thematically, and fails to truly distinguish itself as a result.
© Dave Donnelly /TiVo
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Tim Martin, MasteringEngineer, MixingEngineer - Jason Duffy, Drums, Percussion - Brian Byrne, Orchestral Arranger - Declan O'Rourke, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Programmer, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Kieran Lynch, RecordingEngineer - Graham Henderson, Celeste Piano - RTE Concert Orchestra, Strings - Jack Maher, Electric Guitar - Richard McCullough, RecordingEngineer - Declan O’Rourke, Orchestral Arranger - Aongus Ralston, Bass Guitar - Gareth Maher, Writer - Gavin Moloney, Conductor
Under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, © 2007 Maiesta Music Ltd Under Exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, ℗ 2007 Maiesta Music
Tim Martin, MasteringEngineer, MixingEngineer - Jason Duffy, Drums - Declan O'Rourke, Composer, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, MainArtist - Kieran Lynch, RecordingEngineer - Jack Maher, Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, © 2007 Maiesta Music Ltd Under Exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, ℗ 2007 Maiesta Music
Tim Martin, MixingEngineer - Declan O'Rourke, Composer, Producer, Drums, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, MainArtist, RecordingEngineer - Kieran Lynch, RecordingEngineer
Under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, © 2007 Maiesta Music Ltd Under Exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, ℗ 2007 Maiesta Music
Tim Martin, MasteringEngineer, MixingEngineer - Jason Duffy, Drums - Brian Byrne, Orchestral Arranger - Declan O'Rourke, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Percussion, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Kieran Lynch, RecordingEngineer - Graham Henderson, Piano - RTE Concert Orchestra, Strings - Jack Maher, Electric Guitar - Richard McCullough, RecordingEngineer - Maria Mason, Solo Violin - Gavin Moloney, Conductor
Under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, © 2007 Maiesta Music Ltd Under Exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, ℗ 2007 Maiesta Music
Tim Martin, MasteringEngineer, MixingEngineer - Jason Duffy, Drums, Percussion - Brian Byrne, Orchestral Arranger - Declan O'Rourke, Composer, Producer, Orchestral Arranger, Acoustic Guitar, Programmer, Vocals, MainArtist - Kieran Lynch, RecordingEngineer - Graham Henderson, Piano - RTE Concert Orchestra, Strings - Jack Maher, Electric Guitar - Richard McCullough, RecordingEngineer - Aongus Ralston, Bass Guitar - Gavin Moloney, Conductor
Under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, © 2007 Maiesta Music Ltd Under Exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, ℗ 2007 Maiesta Music
Tim Martin, MasteringEngineer, MixingEngineer - Jason Duffy, Drums - Declan O'Rourke, Composer, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, Harmonica, MainArtist - Kieran Lynch, RecordingEngineer - Jack Maher, Backing Vocals
Under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, © 2007 Maiesta Music Ltd Under Exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, ℗ 2007 Maiesta Music
Tim Martin, MasteringEngineer, MixingEngineer - Jason Duffy, Drums - Declan O'Rourke, Composer, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Programmer, Vocals, E-bow Guitar, MainArtist - Kieran Lynch, RecordingEngineer - Graham Henderson, Piano - Jack Maher, Backing Vocals - Alan Doherty, Flute, Whistle - Chris Herzberger, Violin
Under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, © 2007 Maiesta Music Ltd Under Exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, ℗ 2007 Maiesta Music
Tim Martin, MasteringEngineer - Jason Duffy, Drums, Percussion - Declan O'Rourke, Composer, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Programmer, Vocals, MainArtist - Kieran Lynch, RecordingEngineer - Graham Henderson, Piano - Jack Maher, Backing Vocals - Aongus Ralston, Bass Guitar
Under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, © 2007 Maiesta Music Ltd Under Exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, ℗ 2007 Maiesta Music
Tim Martin, MasteringEngineer, MixingEngineer - Jason Duffy, Drums - Brian Byrne, Orchestral Arranger - Declan O'Rourke, Composer, Producer, Orchestral Arranger, Acoustic Guitar, Programmer, Vocals, MainArtist - Kieran Lynch, RecordingEngineer - Graham Henderson, Piano - RTE Concert Orchestra, Strings - Jack Maher, Electric Guitar - Richard McCullough, RecordingEngineer - Aongus Ralston, Bass Guitar - Gavin Moloney, Conductor
Under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, © 2007 Maiesta Music Ltd Under Exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, ℗ 2007 Maiesta Music
Tim Martin, MasteringEngineer, MixingEngineer - Jason Duffy, Drums - Brian Byrne, Orchestral Arranger - Declan O'Rourke, Composer, Producer, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Programmer, Vocals, MainArtist - Kieran Lynch, RecordingEngineer - Graham Henderson, Piano - RTE Concert Orchestra, Strings - Jack Maher, Acoustic Guitar - Richard McCullough, RecordingEngineer - Gavin Moloney, Conductor
Under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, © 2007 Maiesta Music Ltd Under Exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, ℗ 2007 Maiesta Music
Tim Martin, MasteringEngineer, MixingEngineer - Brian Byrne, Orchestral Arranger - Declan O'Rourke, Composer, Producer, Orchestral Arranger, Acoustic Guitar, Programmer, Vocals, MainArtist - Kieran Lynch, RecordingEngineer - RTE Concert Orchestra, Strings - Richard McCullough, RecordingEngineer - Gavin Moloney, Conductor
Under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, © 2007 Maiesta Music Ltd Under Exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, ℗ 2007 Maiesta Music
Tim Martin, MasteringEngineer, MixingEngineer - Brian Byrne, Orchestral Arranger - Declan O'Rourke, Producer, Orchestral Arranger, Programmer, Vocals, MainArtist - Kieran Lynch, RecordingEngineer - RTE Concert Orchestra, Strings - Jane Taylor, Composer - Ann Taylor, Composer - Richard McCullough, RecordingEngineer - Gavin Moloney, Conductor
Under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, © 2007 Maiesta Music Ltd Under Exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, ℗ 2007 Maiesta Music
Album review
Declan O'Rourke's debut album, Since Kyabram, documented the songwriter's mixed upbringing between Ireland and Australia, marrying modern Irish folk with commercial rock music the same way Bruce Springsteen did with the Appalachian variety. With his second record (since Since Kyabram, so to speak), Big Bad Beautiful World, O'Rourke steers his music in a more consciously epic direction, placing strings (courtesy of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra) and wistful keyboards where brash electric guitars may once have been. The lead single and title track, "Big Bad Beautiful World," opens the album on a positive note with bright acoustic guitars and a gradually unfolding full-band arrangement. "Save Your Soul" has parallels with Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" as well as countryman Kieran Goss, while dynamic standout "Whatever Else Happens" best showcases the detached yet oddly inviting vocal style that remains the album's most defining feature. "Man of Peace" and "One Day in War" make subtle criticism of silly things like war, the former opening with the arresting line "He needed someone so God chose me to reveal some of his most precious secrets," while the latter uses a chorus of snare rolls and flutes to evoke the cheery idealism of armed conflict. However, for all its theatrical flair, Big Bad Beautiful World is just a little too safe, rarely going out on a limb melodically or thematically, and fails to truly distinguish itself as a result.
© Dave Donnelly /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 12 track(s)
- Total length: 00:47:51
- Main artists: Declan O'Rourke
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: EAST WEST RECORDS
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
Under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, © 2007 Maiesta Music Ltd Under exclusive licence to Warner Music UK Limited, ℗ 2007 Maiesta Music Ltd
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