This is an album that may not have made many critics’ lists for the Choice Prize (then again no one thought The Script would) but Caller No. 9 snuck onto mine from very much under the radar. The whole point of the Choice Prize is to champion Irish music, and the aim of this feature is to go a little further in discussing unheralded gems – with that in mind this album fits this purpose perfectly.
The biggest joy I get from blogging is the interaction, I love when people comment on this site and in turn I love engaging with a fellow blogger when they spark my interest. It wasn’t until our poll on the Best Irish Albums of ’08, and the subsequent and all too predictable comments over our omissions that I was introduced to Ian Whitty, picking up his album on the back of Donal and sweetoblivion’s recommendations.
After numerous listens it boggles the mind as to how Caller No. 9 hasn’t received more attention, especially considering how we as a nation seem obsessed with propelling singer-songwriters into superstardom. It’s an absolutely beautiful album from start to finish, Whitty’s lyrics climb into your brain and project a faded movie reel of imagery of love, dingy pubs, shipwrecks and hope. This is indie pop supreme.
Sonically it is striking without overwhelming the story told in each track, with strings and brass used in moderation to add depth to the tunes whilst lo-fi electronic flourishes such as on ‘Not On Your Side’ keep the approach original and interesting.
‘City Friend’ is one of my favourite opening tracks of ’08; driving beats with a jangly rhythm guitar all kept at a breathtaking pace with uplifting strings. ‘She Knocks Me Out’ is a beautiful storytelling ballad that shows up most current writers’ love songs for the vapid Hallmark tokenisms they really are.
Whitty’s lyrics are cutting and observant, and his weary take on the Celtic Tiger in ‘Bought & Sold’ grows more and more relevant with every emerging scandal in the news of late:
“And the bank it owns my future / Yeah it owns my politics / And if I should thrive at this 9 to 5 / It’ll own my house of bricks”
Caller No 9 should be an album that gets more recognition than it does. It’s understandable that this low profile album didn’t make the Choice list. What isn’t understandable is how this great LP has slipped by unnoticed. Donal and sweetoblivion, thanks for the feedback.
