Review: Rory McVicar – Another Sleepless Night
The songs are wistful and have quality, tinged with blues and regret. A relaxing background listen, but the tracks are all rather samey.
Rory McVicar sounds like a less intense Jose’ Gonzalez on this, his second album.( The first album was titled ” Rory McVicar” and released in 2007.) He is based in Norwich.
Rory won the Radio 1 unsigned artist of the year title in 2006,and the albums title refers to his nocturnal songwriting.Some of the tracks sound a bit soporific and repetitive, “(Don`t You) Call My Name “, ” Lonesome Goodnight Music”, (rather 1960′s), and “Darling Wait”.
In fact most of the album is ideal to play at night if winding down after a busy day is what’s required.
Rory McVicar’s band on the album consists of three musicians – known collectively as The Zzzs- Nat Johnson(vocals), Owen Turner(bass/vocals) and Andrew Rayner (drums/vocals).
The late John Peel commended Rory McVicar in 2005 with a mention in Peel’s Festive 50.
” I Will Take The Blame” is reasonably lively, with pleasing vocals from Rory.Its the liveliest track on the album.Speaking of Rory’s vocals, he has a good commercially- acceptable voice, but his sound is definitely non – commercial, at least at the moment.
This album’s a pleasing listen, and with a few more cohesive tracks hopefully on the next album when it comes, Rory McVicar could be a bigger name than he is now.Worth a listen.
Rory McVicar
Where are you from?
I am from Norwich in England which is a pretty incredible place when it comes to music. It is kind of tucked away but it has a lot going on.
How did you get involved in making music?
I guess it had something to do with my older brothers’ influence. They both played music in bands and when you have older siblings I think you get a head start in terms of music. Well, so long as they like good music. Fortunately mine did. So I started playing bass when I was starting to become a teenager. I suppose to be more of a teenager. Then later on when I was about 16 I started playing guitar and soon after writing songs.
What are some of the artists that have inspired you?
It is perhaps not the most respect grabbing band to name drop but my first favorite band was Oasis. I really liked them a lot and got the bus driver to play them on the way to school. I don’t listen to them so much now but I still like hearing what Liam has said in the press. I think he’s alright. Past that in music I suppose my most consistent inspiration has come from John Frusciante. In fact by learning about him and listening to his records fairly constantly for many years I think I have almost grown up with certain ideas I have about him and his music. Also, as is the norm with a Frusciante fan, I really do like Vincent Gallo. Obviously not just his music. Films are something else i take inspiration from I suppose, though not consciously. There are a bunch of films I love that I think have helped develop my understanding of art. David Lynch o course and also John Cassavetes recently. I really liked reading about him before I saw his films though, but they’re good. And I love and think a lot about the film “Werckmeister’s Harmonies” by the Hungarian director Bela Tarr. And I love Kryzstoff Kieslowski too, especially the Dekalog films. So am I winning any points for um high culture here? Haw Haw. And the only writer I really have dug is Henry Miller. But I read very very little. Very little. Oh and I just heard the record “Back in Your Life” by Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers and I am bessotted with it!
How do you write songs? Any special techniques?
No not really, though it does usually start with a guitar or singing melody. The best songs come out when you aren’t thinking at all and you find yourself with a beautiful melody and sometimes even words.
Have you signed a deal yet? Have you had a lot of interest?
I haven’t signed anything at all yet no. Things are looking promising though. We’ll have to wait and see.
“Little One” is a scorcher how did that one come about?
Well I think actually my mum was in a bad mood and I went “you’re highly strung today”, and then I thought about it and strings going ping and before too long it turned out to be a love song, like most of em. But not for my mother, you understand.
How do translate your recorded music to a live show?
It will invariably be me, sitting down on a chair, with an electric or acoustic guitar, trying very hard to remember the words.
Who are you listening to right now?
“Vendor Intender” by eLsuB
What was your favorite album of the year?
I can’t remember what came out this year at all. Probably “Curtains” by John Frusciante.
What would be your greatest fear?
I don’t really have one.
What can we expect to find you doing in 2006?
Playing a hundred million gigs, releasing music to a wider audience, falling down drunk outside Stringfellows. Hopefully.
Rory’s split single with Hoofus is out now on the Howlback Hum Label click here for more info