First The Strypes, now Eileen Tackney – is there something in the Co Cavan water supply? While the teenage Strypes are tearing strips off 1960s r'n'b, Tackney is taking a different route altogether. Her background in traditional and classical music doesn't necessarily prepare you for the sounds of
South
, an often beautiful blend of old-school prog electronic (keyboard maestro Rick Wakeman springs to mind), krautrock technicians (Cluster, Harmonia) and more recent exponents of the genre (Ulrich Schnauss). Tracks such as
Changing Trains, Splendid Isolation, Life Goes On
and
Autumn Journey
reveal a musician well versed in composition, and one who welds these skills to meandering but structured melody lines. The glitch that prevents full enthusiasm is the needlessly atonal
Curiosity
. That aside, say hello to mellow ambience all the way.
eileentackney.com
Download: Changing Trains, Splendid Isolation, South