Choice music awards finalists

Codes

Trees Dream In Algebra

Angela Macari O’Looney

Haunting melody lines, velvet lead vocals and throbbing keyboards, electronica, percussion and drums seem to be the order of the day with this innovative band. On my first listen I immediately recognised This is Goodbye, which is by far the most exciting number. Definitely easy listening yet upbeat music, the thirteen tracks of this collection require the right atmosphere; Glass of wine, subdued light and the listener to really allow each wonderful track to be absorbed completely. Powerful choruses and a big sound reign throughout this debut album, from beginning to end.

Having an impressive CV, this band consists of Daragh Anderson - Vocals/Guitars/Piano/Programming, Paul Reilly – Drums/ Backing vocals/Glockenspiel/Programming, Raymond Hogge – Piano/Backing Vocals/ Guitars/Synth/Programming and Eoin Stephens – Bass/Backing Vocals/ Synth.

There’s a bashing anthemic thing going on in most of the Codes material, but they are doing something else that’s not easy to describe. However, they have taken the world by storm with their unique style.

Forming in ’07, the lads had two successful singles within months of forming; Edith and This is Goodbye. They went from performing at smaller venues around Dublin, to performing in the coveted Oxygen festival in ’08, IMRO showcase tour ’08 and played support to U.K. band Keane at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena and the ’02 Dublin. Their star is rising faster than the speed of light and it isn’t surprising!

Malfunctions

Cosmic sound effects, the sound of voices on radio waves and a sense of U.F.O. take you into this opening track. Then with thundering drum rolls, a harmonic chorus is sung. This delicious melody is repeated and the lyrics are dramatic.

This is Goodbye

Daragh’s vocals are unbelievable in this number, his ability to hit falsetto proving an astounding range. The verse reminds me a little of a Mike Oldfield number; Moonlight Shadow. It explodes into a crescendo chorus, instruments and vocals echoing out the haunting notes in unison. A song that should be used as a soundtrack for a film, it is their finest work in my opinion!

Guided by Ghosts

Released last year as a single, this has an intriguing melody line, trickling piano thrown into contrast by an array of synthesizers and a fast moving beat. The chorus is memorable and I like the lyrics which are profound; Love, lead me back let me never forget/ we are guided by the ghosts we used to know.

Our Mysteries (Missed Histories)

My second favourite number, this has a totally amazing chorus. There’s a spectacular key change in the middle when Daragh sings the line; Underneath your broken parasol, yeah there is an open doorway leads us miles away, away. It has a slow pace and I like the way it builds up from the solemn verse, gradually developing into the gorgeous and haunting melody of the chorus. Glockenspiel features alongside Daragh’s vocals and once again I’m reminded of the composer and musician Mike Oldfield!

A song I believe wouldn’t be out of place at a big open air gig, In Algebra is based on the Theme of the album. The verse is subdued, with just vocals and piano. The chorus however involves pulsating rhythm, Choral ‘Ahs’ sung in unison and sophisticated programming which creates a futuristic sound. I like the use of echo style backing vocals, which lift the dynamics right up. The lyrics are so imaginative; Trees, they dream in Algebra, of brighter days I never saw. Come closer, the breaking dawn will always be a part of you and I. The melody in this track is beautiful!

Daragh’s intonation and phrasing are the essential ingredients that put a stamp of originality on each of these anthems. Memorial is an example of this. The Piano and Glock perform in unison with him as he sings. Chorus is dreamy, with an extremely complex but sweet melody line. That such a young band can compose lyrics and instrumental arrangements to this standard is impressive.
One of my favourite lines in this song is in the first verse; Farther than any map reveals Elya, run the long way home. From this high rise we reach out for satellites Climbing Chandeliers into the atmosphere.

Percussion in the intro of Starry Eyes is like a fast beating heart. Guitars feature in the quiet verse, building up to a big orchestral sound in the chorus. Strings in this track and throughout the album, are performed by Joanna Parkhurst (1st Violin), Andrew Walters (2nd Violin) and Nathan Stone (Cello). Close harmony and a simple but catchy synth riff also contribute greatly to this track.

Daragh’s voice is like an instrument in itself, as he demonstrates outstanding breath control, passionately pouring out each song with fluidity.

Telos is an instrumental performed with strings and synth. It’s an elaborate piece, involving an awe inspiring musical arrangement. The trickling notes on Keyboards, combined with the heavenly strings are calming.

Truer Words is a sad, but lovely song. The chorus is quite simple compared to other songs. Yet it imprints itself in your mind. I like the way that Daragh sings the phrase Louder Now between verse and chorus and as he does, the sound seems to build up.
A military-style drum plays in the background for the second chorus, which sounds like the words of a soldier, who remains steadfast in his promise to fight to the end.
We won’t stop ‘til we right the wrongs of this world.

Cities

Intro here comprises a riff on Keys that becomes a haunting refrain. Cora Venus Lunny features singing backing vocals. I remember this young lady from many moons ago on the Late Late Toy show and she showed great promise even then. Her angelic ‘Ah’s’ frame Daragh’s powerful vocals perfectly on this track.
Programming and electronica create space aged sound effects. In the verse a quiet rhythmic baseline is heard behind the lead vocals, to be joined by guitar.
It then explodes into a fast moving, exciting beat with a full sound for the chorus.

Magnetic North is a laid back love ballad. Notation is exquisite. Catrin Southall performs the backing vocals. This entire number has a heavenly quality, with a resounding beat and rhythmic notes on Synthesizers provide the backdrop.
The gradual introduction of instruments and the build up to a crescendo, with harmony also being gradually added all add depth to this piece.

You are here

I could listen to the chorus of this song forever, it’s so uplifting. The intro is eerie, but catchy. Glockenspiel and piano feature in the opening verse, with a drumbeat chopping away. Lyrics are melancholic. I love the fact that the guitars get to shine, with a fab baseline constantly present, lead playing a lovely riff with a bashing drumbeat and some dramatic rolls. This song reminds me a little of a band who have had enormous success with their anthemic music; Suddyn.
In the second verse percussion comes in and Catrin Southall does backing vocals once again. The harmony is spectacular and I particularly like the way the drumbeat alternates. The whole thing seems to come to a big stop after the second chorus and then just bursts into life again. Very dramatic stuff!
The eerie Synth riff from the intro and a harmonic refrain provide the finishing touches. I’m not crazy about the alien sound effects on Synth at the very end.

4 Winters

This is quite a long number, but it has superbly descriptive lyrics and exhilarating close harmony. It’s a good choice to take the album to a close, with its vibey intro, a pretty melody line, a verse that is poetic and sparklingly light.

As in all of their songs, there’s a build up to the chorus, which has a most unusual key change. Harmonic ‘Ah’s’ lead into this and backing vocals echo each line as Daragh sings it.
A four part harmony is sung choral style. The accompaniment drops out to leave the four voices singing acapella.

The booklet inside the CD is very colourful, with inspiring photography alongside the lyrics of each number. A picture of the band standing in the snow beside a modern sculpture is on the front. Four coats of arms are on the actual CD cover which is simply black and white.

This impressive collection is the first of many, I hope. Music arrangements are first class, the deep metaphorical lyrics are well thought out and it is quite a work of genius.
However, I would like to see Codes vary their style a bit more and alter their formula. Superior as their music is, there is a slight risk of it becoming too predictable. Despite this, I enjoyed each stop on this wonderful journey.