Ike Reilly Assassination – The Last Demonstration
Even though I have been a fan of Ike Reilly since his debut release “Salesmen and Racists”, and I am secretly thrilled to be reviewing his latest online EP “The Last Demonstration”. I was a little sceptical at first about the fact they were releasing a new album with essentially only two “new” songs. It was reassuring however, to discover that throughout this record, of stripped down acoustic versions of old favourites as well as the new tracks, there are subtle lyrical changes and added verses hidden in amongst the songs that you may not notice on the first listen. Lyrically, Reilly has the gift of the gab and the words trip off his tongue like liquid poetry with ease and style.
There is no escaping the fact the that at times Ike Reilly sounds like Bob Dylan, and this could not be more apparent than on the first song and one of the previously unreleased tracks “Lust Song 78″. A snappy number at just over a minute and a half long with a speedy little riff and magnetic lyrics that seem to attach themselves to your memory, especially ” You got that, got that, got that, got that, got that, summer dress”. One of the songs I was not expecting to differ so much from the original is “Garbage Day”. Instead of being a lively rock track the acoustic version is a longer, and slower, with very clear lyrical pronunciation. This combined with an additional verse, dissolves my previous doubts that this is a collection of old songs re-branded to make a quick buck. “God and Money” has to be my favourite of the acoustic versions, it sent shivers down my spine the first time I heard it. It has gentle, guitars and vocals to match. The harmonica playing near the end of the song gives you another twang of Dylan, which, lets face it, is never a bad thing.
I would recommend “The Last Demonstration” to new and old fans alike. As the saying goes don’t judge a book by its cover because like me, you too might be pleasantly surprised.
By Alice Roth
