Blue Syndrome 'Over and Out' album review

Blue Syndrome

Over and Out

Angela Macari O’Looney

One of my best memories from 2009 was the night of the launch gig for this debut album. I’d seen Blue Syndrome for the first time at the launch of their E.P. Kiss the Girl earlier in ’09 and was blown away by their music. There are such a huge variety of acts going around, each with something special to offer. But for me this extremely young quartet of musicians top my list of favourite Irish Rock/ Pop/Acoustic bands.

A blend of Foo Fighters explosiveness, the soulful simplicity of Mark Geary in the slower love songs, combined with touches of other influences such as Paramore, Muse and The Frames, this band have now put their own stamp on the music industry and proved their commitment by creating their own label Awkward Turtle Records.

From busking on Dublin’s Grafton Street, the four young Northsiders have come a long way. Members are; Colm O’Loughlin-Vocals/ Guitar, Thomas Lamude -Drums/Percussion, Stephen O’Loughlin – Guitar/Vocals and Daniel Cummins – Bass/Vocals. They have played many of Dublin’s major venues including Vicar Street, Tripod, The Academy, and The Village and have played support to The Republic of Loose, The Dirty Epics, The Kinetics, and Ham Sandwich.

This collection of songs is a must have for anyone with a love for Melodic Rock, close harmony, powerful chord combos and guitar riffs that you end up singing, they are so catchy!

The opening song New Chapter is short, performed by Colm with only one electric guitar accompanying him. Delightful guitar chords and a candy sweet melody line lend to it, as he sings words that reflect starting out on a new adventure; This is a time to move, this is a time to prove, this is the time to start something new. This is the time to write a new chapter in the story of our lives.

Everything Eventually

This second track wakes you up with a guitar riff intro and bashing drumbeat. Lots of distortion and a big resounding baseline set the scene of this number which has a fabulous melody.
Keep livin’ before you die is the refrain sung behind Colm and the harmony is just so effective throughout. It slows down for a profusion of dramatic lead guitar, to burst back into the last chorus. Definitely one of my favourites!

Over and Out

This song is an anthemic styled piece with a rhythmic intro, the chorus being really memorable. You hear the sound of a helicopter at the beginning and later on, a Mayday call. The baseline in the verse is lovely, with a tricky lead riff played behind Colm’s vocals.
Lots of bashing drums, a big build up of harmonic ‘ohs’ and a speed up in the beat adds atmosphere. One of those numbers where there is so much going on your head is in a spin; the theme song of the album gives all of the members of this act a chance to shine.

Just another Day

You sold me the rest of the world tonight is the opening line of this upbeat number. It’s a real sing-along song, with distortion charged guitars, a catchy melody line and chops and changes to the tempo to add interest.
An elaborate guitar solo is performed, which would do any world class guitarist proud and is the highlight for me.

Tomorrow I’ll be gone

The chords in this track are fabulous!
It begins with an acoustic guitar accompaniment, building up in dynamics to a big sound. It’s a laid back love song with a nice beat, which alternates beautifully within the verse. This is a knack with Blue Syndrome in their song writing style, proving how well thought out each piece is and how much effort goes into creating something unique!
The chorus is hauntingly pretty, with this absolutely magical guitar riff before
The middle eight line You are so beautiful, you are so beautiful now. Also some sweet chord riffs continue throughout the whole song.
Colm has an unbelievable range and is helped by the well placed backing vocals. A short blast of rhythmic guitar finishes this track, yet again one of my favourites on the album.

Kiss the Girl

This is the band’s debut single and has it all. It has become their signature tune, is probably the most popular number at gigs and was written by Colm O’Loughlin and Robert O’Malley.
Beginning with the catchy intro which is sung Wo oh, wo oh, this track involves some complex lead guitar behind the chorus. Also the lads do this really appealing thing whereby Colm sings a line, with the backing vocals singing a different melody, the two blending to perfection.
There’s a sudden stop just before the final chorus, where all the stops are pulled out for a big finale.

Concerned

This track is a bit heavier than their usual style of song. It was written by Colm and the drummer Tom. A distortion laden intro is followed by twin guitars performing a riff. All guitars do a choppy chord riff behind the chorus.
This explosive song is an escape from the lighter pop/rock style of the other tracks. Chord combos in the chorus are gorgeous, as is harmony throughout.

I Try

One of the few softer Blue Syndrome creations, this song has an acoustic intro and demonstrates Colm’s vocals to great advantage, as he pours out his soul. A screaming lead solo takes my breath away midway through, followed by some excellent harmony that frames the remainder of the song well.

Sign is a fast moving, vibrant song, with an alternating beat, a big sound, a catchy riff and a sense of urgency about it.
Colm slides his voice in one of the lines and I like the way the lads sing a counter melody when he’s singing the middle eight Help me now, I think I’m gonna lose control/ help me now I think I’m gonna lose my mind.
As in all of their songs, they make sure that there is loads going on, with everyone putting their all into their part.

Just a Dream

A slow, soulful acoustic piece, this number has a simple melody line. A touch of harmony gradually comes in for the second chorus, increasing the dynamics and eventually, things build up and before you know it, you are listening to an orchestra behind what started out as a really low key track!

To be God

The final track on Over and out, this is a very dramatic affair!
Starting with a quiet piano riff performed by Stuart Gray, it bursts into life and with distortion all over the place, is a fast bashing anthem.
Like a rhapsody, this number changes pace midway through with lots of screaming lead guitar, powerful piano and finally finishes with heavenly ‘Ahs’. Great melody, exciting instrumentals throughout and as in each of this collection of songs, there’s never a dull moment!

To be able to come up with one or two memorable songs is a feat in itself. But young Mr. O’Loughlin manages to continually produce epic pieces of music, just as if he’s pulling them out of a magician’s hat!

With a very simple design on the sleeve; A paper boat with a boy and girl in it, surrounded by water and what looks like a city sinking, this entertaining album is one I know I’ll listen to often. I also hope it will be the first of many for this young, aspiring bunch of musicians, who thank just about everybody in the enclosed booklet (even their pets) and also give an insight into their story.