It’s been a long, strange trip for Limerick man Stephen Ryan. Formerly known as lead growler with atomic hardcore duo giveamanakick, he originally conceived WINDINGS as a vehicle for his (largely) more pastoral and intimate material, releasing a quirky and fascinating self-titled debut album back in the mists of 2005.
A lot of water has sluiced under the bridge since. Giveamanakick folded after two fine LPs and Windings gradually morphed into a ‘band’ with multi-instrumentalist Liam Marley and drummer Aaron Mulhall signing up for the ride. As a time-honoured ‘power trio’, the guys recorded the second Windings album ‘It’s Never Night’ and, lo and behold, it turned out to be one of the finest Irish independent releases of 2010, striking a perfect balance between fragile introspection and sonic overload and also served up several slices of unashamedly delicious guitar pop ripe for major radio consumption.
Touring the beast brought two more full-time Winders on board in the shape of Mike Gavin (bass/ organ) and Patrick O’Brien (guitar/ organ/ vocals/ extras) and – seizing the time – this new improved quintet make their recording debut on the band’s new single ‘Embury Greenway.’
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Windings’ previous single ‘Brain Fluid’ showed just how strongly their naturally idiosyncratic pop pulse could beat, but ‘Embury Greenway’ comfortably betters it. Built upon crunching power chords and a frighteningly catchy “doo doo do do do do doo” chorus leading the way, it’s basically a post-hardcore Buzzcocks with a rocket up its’ arse and it’s quite simply brilliant. In fact, pure summery guitar pop really doesn’t get any better.
Oh, and the title? Well, in Windings world it’s quite acceptable to write gorgeous pop tunes and name them after your two favourite long-serving members of Death Metal pioneers Napalm Death. Go figure? No, just go get. The sooner the better.
Out on a Limb Records online
Hear Embury Greenway and more from Windings at Breaking Tunes
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