Michael J. Sheehy
Sweet Blue Gene
Beggars Banquet
Ever since I started listening to the Dream City Film Club, I’ve been waiting for this album. I didn’t really know it then, but now that it’s here… I know. Michael J. Sheehy has been singing in front of that dream city band for about five years now, and what always got me the most was his voice… and his lyrics. Here it comes at you pure and strong. Following close behind, and sometimes walking right beside other singer/songwriters such as Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen, perhaps Matt Johnson, and the occasional glimpse of Glenn Campbell. Full of the sweetest sadness, the perfect ache. Watch the rain and sing along. Sometimes the music brings to mind other Bad Seeds, such as Barry Adamson or Mick Harvey, but here it’s harsher. It’s trailing a dirty shoe in the gutter, and it makes you weep, but it feels so good to feel, it’s almost evil. The cover of “Sweet Home Under White Clouds” is truly heart-stopping, and when the CD finally finishes, there isn’t really any choice other than to play it again. Curl up in bed… wait for the rain to end, but love it as it falls.
Beggars Banquet, 580 Broadway, Suite 1004, New York, NY 10012; http://www.beggars.com
