Formed in 2007, Dublin band The Last Tycoons have built a worthy reputation for their live shows in the intervening years and while their debut was a long time coming it’s one of the highlights of 2010 – time you were acquainted with it.
From the outset it’s clear these guys know what they’re doing, great instrumentation, production and a definite Americana/Rootsy influence at its core. There’s still an overwhelming Irish feel to it and many of the tracks like ‘Don’t Let Me Catch You’ evoke memories of the early days of the stones before they became shit, it’s this formula blended perfectly with touches of britpop, R&B and stroke-esque indie rock (‘Not at All’) that makes for such a memorable listen.
Vocally it sounds almost strained at times which adds to the emotion while the backing vocals are delivered brilliantly to create a real harmonic feeling exemplified best on the beautifully gut wrenching ‘Dry Law’, written about the dark old days of prohibition and the Great Depression in the US.
It’s been a great year for Irish music with The Rags, Villagers, Fionn Regan, The Cast of Cheers et al releasing superb albums – this one is up there with the best of them, a must have.