Songs for a sinking world

Colin Scallan

Songs for a Sinking World

Angela Macari O’Looney

With such a vast array of competent entertainers going around at the minute, it’s rare to find one particular act that stands out from the crowd. However, as a guest at a recent gig I was captured by this singer songwriter, with seriously noticeable guitar skills and a soothing voice, along with a charming repertoire of songs.

I only heard a sample of his work that evening and decided I wanted to hear more. Colin’s debut album is well named, with its uplifting quality. Each number has a memorable melody and you can feel the devotion to his art in every note.

The cover depicts what is obviously his favourite item in the world – his guitar!

Colin’s influences are many and include some of my own favourite artists; Neil Young, Van Morrison, David Bowie, Little Jimmy Hendricks, Stevie Wonder, Cat Stevens, Paul Brady, Thin Lizzy to name but a few.

I’d begin with my favourite track if I had one. But each track is equally enjoyable.

Wake up

Acoustic intro -This is a cheerful but slow song, which has a delightfully catchy riff throughout. Melody is simple, lyrics are touching and a little hint of harmony lends interest. I notice how he uses lots of emphasis on the bass strings, which gives depth and dynamic here.

Strength in numbers

I admire the arrangement in this number. Beginning with yet another sweet acoustic riff, Colin sings the verse with just guitar accompaniment and percussion. It develops, with backing vocals performing the chorus as an alter melody behind the verse, which is powerful. This song has a beautiful melody line, building up from a simple beginning to a full orchestral sound and has clever lyrics; ‘Every time that you think you’ve got the perfect hand, you come up against more than you planned. You forgot to count strength in numbers!’

The Last Battle

A catchy electric guitar riff intro, with distortion is used in this dramatic number with a funky beat. Fabulous guitar riffs and hooks frame verse and chorus here as in most of his songs. The solo in the middle is exciting, whereby things slow down and then in it comes with screaming notes played with passion. Blasts of powerful distortion filled chords pepper this number beautifully.

Nothing around for Miles

Laid back but choppy, this pretty song has a simple chord combination, but I like it. Backing vocals are gorgeous, with close harmony injected in just the right places and the melody is candy sweet.
There’s a pleasant change of pace for the middle eight which is sung. Throughout this number, Colin’s expertly plucked guitar notes frame each phrase.

Build me a woman

Slinky, with a sexy intro, this song is witty with a likeable resemblance to Van Morrison’s Moondance. The guitar break is outstanding and piano lends jazziness to the proceedings. The second guitar solo is an unexpected treat, with screamingly seductive notes that are delicious. The lyrics are fun to sing along to and will have you repeating them well after hearing them; ‘Gonna make her so she’ll always be mine. She won’t go disappearing at any given time. She can push me when I’m falling behind. She’s gonna be perfect for me.’
This is possibly my favourite track!

Days beneath the Sun

A dramatic anthem style song, this has superb chord combinations, Key changes aplenty and changes of direction that keep your interest. As in all tracks on this album, the melody is delicious. The guitar solo is breathtaking, with an in sync harmony played by a second guitar.

A little love is an acoustic number, with very effective backing vocals and pretty guitar riffs keep it interesting.

The five remaining tracks have that same magical form throughout. Colin’s melody lines are memorable and each one involves a moving blend of instrumentals with lyric.

Half the story - This is a sad love song, with just the guitar at the beginning. It builds up, with instruments being added gradually to the mix.

Remedy is fast, with some fantastic guitar in it. Distortion packed riffs and hooks behind Colin’s vocals are particularly nice.

The piano in Where it started is lovely and although it’s quite a simple number, it’s really quite special, with layers of vocals creating a big crescendo.



Blot on the Landscape is a plucked song that would remind me a little of a Nancy Griffith piece. Colin’s vocals are really brought to the fore here, along with his unique ability to make his guitar sing.

The last track Daisy Chains is a quirky number with a catchy, cheerful melody.
Notation is tricky, with a pretty little riff between the lines which I really like.

Colin Scallan has had lots of success to date with his work, including reaching the finals of the ’08 U.K. Song writing Competition, appearing as a guest guitarist on ‘The Podge and Rodge’ Christmas special and he was also selected for Eircom’s Independent Musician’s Nationwide Promotion ’08.
It was at the Platform 5 Oxygen battle of the bands final that I first encountered his genius and fell in love with the slinky ‘Build me a woman’ and the power of his live performance had a big effect on me.

Recorded in PAC3 Recording studios, Detroit, Michigan, finished off in his home studio in Ireland, this amazing album was conceived, designed, recorded and produced by none other than himself, with only the minimum of help. It defines his enthusiasm for experimentation and putting a bit more oomph into the singer/songwriter image.