While even some of our better songwriters only shine in introspective acoustic settings, and their guitar playing is often there merely to provide an underbelly for the vocal, Mullingar-Based musician Peter Doran can vary both mood and tempo and is an ace guitar player to boot.

Although opening track “Scenic Route” does not augur well, with his Loudon Wainwright-like voice wobbling unsettlingly in a song that opens like Christy’s “Ride On”, from there on it’s uphill all the way. He’s also well served by his band too, with Johnny Owens on violin adding a plaintive touch to “Loose”. There’s a loose funkiness to the pleading “Mr Giant”, and “Filling Spaces” is a laid-back affair, it’s tasteful guitar playing setting the mood and building towards a slightly anguished conclusion. “Ten Thousand Bees” has a lazy lilting latino sway to it, and “Treasure Chest” has an irresistible rhythm to spur Doran’s vocal is at it’s most appealing. “Wood” also benefits from a moving vocal performance from Doran, with Gerard Toal’s cello adding a hint of forboding. This is an admirable debut that should open doors and minds.

seven/ten