Gibson St is the new EP from young songwriter Donald MacDonald and his backing group, Alexander MacGregor, Allan Nairn and Marc Tierney, the Islands.
Self-confessed fans of Bruce Springsteen, there are touches of the Boss’s sharp social realism on the opener ‘Jacknifed’, which parlays its religious metaphors and stop-start acoustic guitar into a jauntily memorable tune.
‘Heart Ryan Can’t Fix’ starts out as a simple one-man-and-his-guitar before bursting into life around the time of the first chorus, the phrasing is a little convoluted but it’s hardly a major misstep.
It’s interesting to note that Donald is the son of Calum Macdonald, percussionist and chief songwriter of Celtic rock staples Runrig and it’s clear that music is in his blood; the contemplative yet quietly confident songcraft demonstrates a maturity beyond his years.
In fact, it’s hard to fault his songwriting at all; earnest, intense lyrics matched to tasteful folky arrangements courtesy of his backing group.
‘Cry’ sees the first use of fiddle on the EP, lending a mournful air to a track that builds to its climax through a spacey guitar solo and soaring major chords.
‘Mountains of Clay’, a boy-girl tale with its lyrics about “hormone swells” and “layers of riches on top of mountains of clay” doesn’t quite find an arrangement to match its rich tapestry of lyrics but thumping drums and plenty of whoah-oh’s help to paper over the cracks.
Best of all is closer ‘Gibson St’ where hymnal vocals and a simple, blurred guitar figure draw beauty from abandoned Carlsberg cans and arguments about independence as the narrator walks the eponymous Glasgow street.
It’s a simple song but you’re left with a picture of the world so vivid that you’re amazed he conjured something so evocative from such slight details.
There are plenty of acts plying their trade offering modern takes on the traditional Scottish folk but as the scion of Celtic rock aristocracy Donald’s chances are probably better than most.
That’s not to suggest his success is due to nepotism at work – these are skilfully written and arranged songs – but they’re also not a million miles away from what the likes of Frightened Rabbit or Admiral Fallow have been releasing in recent years.
John Donne told us that ‘no man is an island’ and it seems Donald and co are quite happy to go with the flow for a while.
Words: Max Sefton
