Eugene McGuinness - The Invitation to the Voyage
- By Erica Rakowicz -
- Aug 07, 2012
Although a young musician, Eugene McGuinness’s sound is nothing but aged and the right way at that, just like cheese and wine should be.
With both soulful and eerie tunes, McGuinness tells a rich story through the lyrics of each track. The tone of the music seems to bolt in and out of decades, primarily the 60s and 80s, adding an element of nostalgia and wonder.
Since his first EP in 2007, his work has been relatively consistent as a whole but inconsistent from track to track, making use of retro noise and line chants. His sporadic taste does well to keep listeners intrigued.
In his music, McGuinness tries not to keep things run of the mill. It’s easy to get bogged down by the industry, but making sure each song has character is something he puts strict emphasis on. It keeps his music fresh and gives it dynamic perspective.
Early on his 2012 release off the album ‘The Invitation to the Voyage’, is a seductively sweet song titled, ‘Sugarplum’, where McGuinness gets to the root of any good love when he serenades listeners with, “I want you as you are.”
A few of McGuinness’s songs have a hint of video game-esque notes, which he may have caught onto, because of his song, ‘Video Game’, which has a beginning country feel and dips further into soulful chimes, ending on an upbeat.
McGuinness’s song, ‘Shotgun’ is just that- a shotgun of a song. Even the shy awkward kids against the wall at the middle school dance would have a hard time keeping their spine’s plastered to the gymnasium wall.
The track, ‘Thunderbolt’ is an antsy song, punching through the music with, “I don’t believe in magic but I do believe in you.”
Diving into the heavy topic of immortality, ‘Lion’ touches on ventriloquists and odd events, bringing the spook from the beginning of the album back toward the finale.
‘Invitation to the Voyage’ swims the listener through McGuinness’s individual past squirming instances.
The entire album, if only for a second of each song, gives a slight nod to the 80s, but especially so at the beginning of, ‘Japanese Cars’, a song full of funky excitement.
‘I Love You Joshua’ is a simple and sweet song, addressing sincere love and overdue affection.
McGuinness’s upbringing in Liverpool, London and Ireland contribute to his dabbling desire to touch on everything interesting and different in the span of one album.
By Erica Rakowicz. Blogs at enrswords.wordpress.com/ and tweets at @ericaNrak
