Seafoam Green - Topanga Mansion
by Carl Bookstein
published: 8 / 5 / 2017
Label:
Mellowtone Records
Format: CD
intro
First-rate and evocative debut album from Seafoam Green, the project of Dublin-born, Liverpool-based musician Dave O’Grady
Seafoam Green is the musical project of Dublin-born, Liverpool-based musician Dave O’Grady. 'Topanga Mansion' is his debut album and collaboration with Rich Robinson, Black Crowes guitarist, and producer and co-writer here. Recorded in Santa Monica, California, the album boasts influences of Americana rock and Irish folk. 'Celtic Wanderings' begins with a lovely musical flow - soft and resonant. A well strummed guitar segues in. “If I could hold the wind/Turn it back round.” It is a beautiful evocative vocal. “If your mind needs silence/I could stop the sound.” Evidencing great love, it is a poignant album opener. “The light will stay forever more.” On 'Home', “trying to find myself some peace” is the lyric. O’Grady is singing about “Just you and me…Now I’m home, home, home”- more soft, lovely musical tones. An easy drum beat too hits just the right note. 'Down the River' possesses a rocking, rollicking beat. “Wish me luck, I’m on my way.” It is a pulsing blues rock number, with stinging electric guitar, this one possessing a kindred musical beat to the Black Crowes. On 'Runaway' a piercing electric guitar lead starts the song. “When my mother had me… She showed me right from wrong…” It is a killer riff, pure blues rock. “Keep on moving,” O’Grady sings, alongside a blistering beat. “Visions…endless wine flows…flash of hope and harmony…” the lyrics on 'Royal Call' ring like poetry, a fine acoustic folk song and melody. 'Petty Tyrants' too is a great number, with lyrics that address the good and the bad - from dreams and sweetness to “Faceless creatures at my feet…trying to tie me down.” 'No Wasted Words' is the solid closer of a fine, resonant folk meets blues rock album. “Keep my love for free/It’s all I have/It’s not for sale.” And with this truth, Dave O’Grady and company take us home.
Track Listing:-
1 Celtic Wanderings2 Home
3 Down the River
4 Sister
5 Runaway
6 Lowly Lou
7 Royal Call
8 Petty Tyrants
9 Far from Golden
10 No Wasted Words
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/SeafoamGreenBand/https://twitter.com/SeaFoamGreenHQ
http://seafoamgreenband.com/
https://www.instagram.com/daveogrady/
interviews |
Interview (2017) |
Dublin born, Liverpool based musician Dave O’Grady of Seafoam Green speaks with Carl Bookstein about the debut album 'Topanga Mansion'. |
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