For this reviewer the Phenomenal Consolation in the title of Brendan Regan's latest album, is that it came with a download code, as sadly the vinyl got tragically warped in transit, thankfully the music isn't at all warped. Brendan recorded the album at Avast! Recording co in Seattle and Redwood Island Studios in Boulder. The album was engineered by Cosmo Rossi and David Brewer. The musicians on the album are Colin J Nelson, Rebecca Lomnicky, Shadrack Scott and Tyler Richart.
The a-side opens with Push The Tide a modern Celtic folk song for the ebb and flow of life, hoping the tide is in your favour, you won't get swept away into the murky depths, accompanied by the baleful fiddle and percussion.
Spatial Awareness making sure you know what's happening around you and how to make sure your interactions are positive, this slowly gets the message across, you need to love and care for your nearest and dearest friends, don't be afraid to let a few souls within your personal space.
Grasping At Leaves is in love with walking in the forest in Autumn, making eyes and plans for the possibility of love, if only he can be introduced to the mysterious one who tugs at his heart, without them even having chatted together.
Believe It is a plea for acceptance that the May To December love he is describing is real and true, while the gentle fiddle led lullaby caresses you, gently soothing and dissolving the anger and bitterness that came before. Brendan then sings the Irish folk song Spancil Hill in a traditional way, taking on this classic song of emigration that remains relevant despite the passing of time.
The B-side opens with Bering Seattle a seaman's tale of the open seas and going to the Bering Sea from Seattle, hoping that the wife he leaves at home will be happy looking after the kids and still be there waiting his return with the riches of the seas to offer as consolation for her loneliness.
Now's The time is for the regrets you may have on your return from wandering the seas and world, to find your love may be less enamoured of you than they once were, without knowing everything driving you apart, it's difficult to reconcile and go back to how things were, can he convince you to spilt your worries and cares once more, gently evocative and endearing backing at least gives him a chance.
When It Hits My Blood is a title that evokes intravenous drug use, but is much more about how you feel your blood pumping with joy at the love you've found, that warms every apart of your body, with the pitter patter of Bodhran style percussion helping with the thoughts of that Afghani flower being as heart-warming as the love you give him.
The album closes with Tibet a slow meandering journey to Tibet in search of some enlightenment that you hope to find there, giving you purpose to the more rudderless parts of your existence will he find his salvation in that magical destination or just more unanswerable questions, the fiddle gently leads the way.
Find out more at https://brendanregan.bandcamp.com/album/phenomenal-consolation https://linktr.ee/brendanregan https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569883231283
