MULL HISTORICAL SOCIETY-CITY AWAKENINGS.

dereksmusicblog ♦ April 15, 2013 ♦ Leave a comment

MULL HISTORICAL SOCIETY-CITY AWAKENINGS.

Ever since the release of their 2001 debut album Loss, each of Mull Historical Society’s three subsequent albums have been critically acclaimed and commercially successful. From the release of Loss, Colin MacIntyre, the brainchild between Mull Historical Society, has been perceived as one of the most talented songwriters of his generation. While Loss reached number forty-three in the UK, Mull Historical Society’s sophomore 2003 album Hope surpassed this reaching number nineteen in the UK Charts. Following 2004s This Is Hope, which reached number fifty-eight in the UK, Colin decided to dispense with his Mull Historical Society pseudonym. His next two albums, 2008s The Water and 2009s The Island were released under Colin’s own name. Then for what was his sixth album, Colin decided to revive his Mull Historical Society moniker for City Awakenings, which like his previous albums, showcased Colin’s award winning songwriting skills. City Awakenings was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Dom Morley and sees Colin MacIntyre pay homage to Glasgow, London and New York, the three cities that have influenced Colin. Before I tell you about City Awakenings, I’ll tell you about the life and times of Mull’s troubadour extraordinaire, Colin MacIntyre and his musical career so far.

Colin MacIntyre was born in Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull, in the Scottish Hebrides. The Isle of Mull is a beautiful and spartan landscape, with Tobermory’s population numbering just 2,500 people. Indeed, sheep outnumber their human counterparts on a ratio of 10-1. It was through watching his uncle’s cover band that Colin was first inspired to make music. Since 2001, Colin MacIntyre has honed a reputation as one of Scotland’s most talented songwriters, singers and multi-instrumentalists.

It was back in October 2001 that Colin MacIntyre released his debut album Loss, under his Mull Historical Society pseudonym. Written and produced by Colin, Loss was released on the Blanco Y Negro label. On its release, Loss was critically acclaimed. It became a favorite amongst discerning music lovers and critics alike. Loss was also a commercial success, reaching number forty-three in the UK Charts. Following the commercial success and critical acclaim of Loss, Mull Historical Society established a reputation as one of Britain’s up and coming artists. Indeed, Loss was hailed as one of the greatest British albums of 2001. In many ways, it was a sign of what was to come from Mull Historical Society. Two years later, things got even better for Mull Historical Society.

For the recording of their sophomore album Us, Mull Historical Society headed to Glasgow’s Gravity Studios. Between January and October 2002, Mull Historical Society laid down fourteen tracks, which are eloquent and filled with social comment. When Mull Historical Society released Us in March 2003, it would surpass the critical acclaim and commercial success of Loss. Us reached number nineteen in the UK and would reinforce Colin’s reputation as one of the great singer-songwriters of his generation. However, after Mull Historical Society’s next album, they wouldn’t release another album for eight years.

Less than a year after the release of Us, Mull Historical Society released their third album This Is Hope in July 2004. Surprisingly, given the quality of music on This Is hope, it stalled at number fifty-eight in the UK. Obviously, his must have been a disappointment for Colin MacIntyre. However, whether it made his mind up to retire the Mull Historical Society moniker is unknown. For his next album, Colin dispensed with his musical mask that was Mull Historical Society.

Having dispensed with his Mull Historical Society moniker, Colin MacIntyre took centre-stage. That wasn’t the only change in Colin’s music. His fourth album The Water was released on Future God’s Recordings. To produce The Water, Lemon Jelly’s Nick Franglen was brought onboard. A very special guest on The Water was veteran Labour politician Tony Benn, who features on the album closer Pay Attention To The Human. On the release of The Water in February 2008, it was described as “pop perfection.” This was a fitting description of The Water, which soared into the top twenty in the UK. Following the critical acclaimed and commercially success of The Water, Colin decided to change things again for 2009s The Island.

Fittingly, Colin returned to the familiar surroundings of Mull to record his fifth album The Island. Recording took place in the classroom of the school where Colin was a former pupil. Now his old school was an arts centre and was where Colin recorded his most stripped down album to date. While it wasn’t Colin’s most successful album, on its release in July 2009, The Island was critically acclaimed and attracted the attention of some of music’s biggest names. Indeed, for Colin, the greatest compliment he received, was hearing that Brian Wilson played The Water in his tour bus. The Island also lead to Colin touring with The Strokes, Elbow and REM. After releasing two albums under his own name, Colin decided to revive his Mull Historical Society moniker for his sixth album City Awakenings.

Colin MacIntyre’s sixth album, City Awakenings, saw him revive his Mull Historical Society moniker for City Awakenings. Like his five previous albums, City Awakenings showcased Colin’s award winning songwriting skills. Produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Dom Morley, City Awakenings sees Colin MacIntyre pay homage to Glasgow, London and New York. These three cities have influenced Colin MacIntyre, Scotland’s latest troubadour. City Awakenings also pays homage to The Hague on For Bas, The Hague. Once the ten tracks that comprise City Awakenings were recorded, it reached number 163 on its release in January 2012 in the UK. Just like The Island, the album’s commercial success didn’t equate with the quality of music, on City Awakenings. You’ll realize that, when I tell you about City Awakenings.

City Awakenings might be Mull Historical Society’s fourth album, but is Colin’s sixth album overall. Each of the ten songs on City Awakenings were written by Colin and recorded at Glasgow’s Cava Studios, London’s The Shed and the legendary Metropolis Studios. Accompanying Coin, a true multi-instrumentalist par excellence, who plays guitars, bass, synths, Moog, mandolin, percussion, omnichord, kalimba and farfisa are an equally talented band. They include Ross McFarlane, Fiona Shannon, Cameron Todd, Brian McNelill and Miriam Lamen are equally talented. This multitalented band provide the backdrop for Colin’s three city musical journey from Glasgow, to London and onto New York.

From the opening bars of Must You Make Eyes At Me Now, right through to the closing notes of Thameslink (London’s Burning), you’re taken on a musical journey. This musical journey is a captivating, enthralling and emotive roller-coaster. From Scotland’s friendliest city Glasgow, we head south to London and then head across the Atlantic to New York. Throughout the journey, you’re spellbound by Colin’s vocals.

Quite simply, Coin’s vocals breath life, meaning and emotion into the tracks. While they may not be similar in style or sound, they’re as effective as troubled troubadours like Paul Buchanan, Tom Waits and Tom Buckley. Each vocals sounds as if it has been aged by malt whisky and cigarettes, and has you captivated and spellbound. There’s a world weary sound to Colin’s vocal. He sounds as if he’s lived several lives and survived to tell the tale. Several tracks demonstrate this.

There’s a wariness in Colin’s vocal on Must You Make Eyes At Me, where he wonders if he’s being used or played. Can You Let Her Know is a truly anthemic track, where Colin unleashes waves of emotion. Almost casually, he sings: it’s oh oh over, with me, can you let her know.” His vocal vintage Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen circa Born To Run. He’s accompanied by cooing harmonies and an arrangement that’s driven by jangly guitars reminiscent of Orange Juice, Aztec Camera, Teenage Fanclub and The Byrds.

The Lights is one of Colin’s finest songs, not just on City Awakenings, but his five previous albums. It’s a track that’s wonderfully melancholy and pensive, filled with heartache and regret. Colin’s vocal is sung from the point of view of someone who feels they’re to blame for what’s happened. He’s seeking closure, wanting reassurance that he’s not to blame. Having said that, there’s an air of mystery that leaves you wondering about the real meaning to the lyrics and the story behind them.

You Can Get Better is the most emotive song on City Awakenings. Colin’s vocal is pleading, begging and filled with hope. There’s almost a sense of desperation in his vocal. He’s scared of being left alone and losing the one he loves. Given how heartfelt his delivery, you can’t fail to be moved by some peerless lyrics. This Is Not My Heart is another deeply moving song. Here Colin lays bare his soul, revealing his loneliness and neediness.

Honey Pie has a brash sound thanks to Dom Morley’s production style. With crisp drums, washes of synths at the heart of the arrangement, Colin’s sneering vocal is perfect for the lyrics. He delivers eloquent lyrics crammed full of social comment that demonstrate his talent as a singer and songwriter. For Bas, The Hague features a raw, impassioned vocal from Colin. This is delivered against a meandering, almost understated arrangement that gradually reveals its secrets and subtleties. Closing City Awakenings is Thameslink (London’s Burning), a poignant track, where ethereal vocals play a subservient role to a heartachingly beautiful track. This proves the perfect way to close City Awakenings.

While City Awakenings may not have been Mull Historical Society’s most successful album, it was critically acclaimed and reinforced Colin MacIntyre’s reputation as one of the most talented troubadours and songwriters of his generation. He’s capable of writing incisive, eloquent songs, crammed with social comment, emotion and heartbreak. This has been the case since Mull Historical Society’s 2001 debut album Loss. Whether under the Mull Historical Society moniker or as Colin MacIntyre, Colin has established a reputation as erudite, intelligent songwriter, whose one of Britain’s most talented singer, songwriter and musicians. Mind you, it’s no wonder Colin is such a talented songwriter. Hailing from the beautiful island of Mull, Colin is from a family of wordsmiths. His father Kenny was a legendary and highly respected journalist, while his brother Kenny Jr, is forging a career in sport’s journalism.

During the past twelve years, Mull Historical Society’s reputation has grown and grown. Whether it’s the UK, Europe or US, Mull Historical Society are attracting a growing fan-base. For anyone yet to discover Mull Historical Society’s music, then City Awakenings is a good starting point into one of Scotland’s most talented musical sons. Standout Tracks: Must You Make Eyes At Me, Can You Let Her Know, The Lights and You Can Get Better.

MULL HISTORICAL SOCIETY-CITY AWAKENINGS.