Customer Reviews

End of History

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

inches away from a live fionn regan, mop coiffed and cobbled in white patent leather, playing for about 100 people at schubas in chicago it dawned on me that i would never enjoy such a seat again...

if you like damien rice, blah blah blahhhhh...stop it. fionn regan is not damien rice. just in case that weren't clear, fionn has attached his initials in various species of tape to the wares he carries on stage, including three guitars, guitar case and hanky.

not that fionn doesn't beat his breast and tear his hair in his own irish way. he runs laps in the rainy day, sexually charged melancholia of mr. rice, but doesn't stay there for long. instead of a cynical and almost fatalistic anger, fionn emerges far more intact...he invites you into a bittersweet wanderlust and you want to join him ever so badly. in the end, this is the currency of young heartbreak--romantic or otherwise. he delivers, if not innovation, a stiff upper lipped laugh into the night that makes me want to laugh too, hardscrabble days be damned.

This album is so perfect that it's devastating. Every song is so emotionally affecting that it's like there's something primal about his songwriting that I can't even explain. I adore all of the songs but my favorite is Snowy Atlas Mountains. When I first listened to it, it reminded me of something that I couldn't even place. I played it for a friend and she had the same response, it's almost transportational. Really, I like this album and so should you.

Quite frankly, I'm surprised that no one has reviewed this brilliant Gem. Well, it may be due to the fact that you have to import. But it's WORTH it!

This album is filled to the brim with gorgeous -- yet simple-- guitar work, with the occasional drum/piano piece. It also helps that Fionn's vocals are beautiful yet somewhat exotic (he IS irish after all,) and pleasant to the ears.

The lyrics are relatively clever, and surprisngly deep in some parts.

now to review each track individually~

1) Be Good Or Be Gone - a great, acoustic piece. This may be my favorite track.

2) The Underwood Typewriter - Another great song. Somewhat light, which is a nice contrast against the next song,

3) Hunters Map - Somewhat dark. This is the first time you'll hear some drum (and it's placed in such a brilliant place, allowing a sort of musical breath inbetween lyrics.) Another great song.

4) Hey Rabbit- I didn't really like this song on first, but it grew on me. But after a few listens, I understood the lyrics. Clever!

5) Blackwater Child- This song is very catchy. His voice is accompanied by another (though, i can't place who it is,) but the slight backup sounds great.

6) Put A Penny In The Slot - This is the song that made me like Fionn Regan. The nice lyrics, with the simple, light guitar made me smile.

7) The Cowshed - starts off kind of dark and slow, with a base drum (i think) and slowly picks up speed. Slowly. It never goes past a certain speed, so this is a nice slower track.

8) Snowy Atlas Mountains - This song is about lonliness. This song has the most "effects" in my opinion, with various noises throughout the song.

9) Noah (Ghost In A Sheet) - This song is great! The whole sound is great, and his voice just sounds amazing. Which is a standard for this whole album

10) The End Of History - This is my least favorite song. Mainly because it just seems to DRAG on forever...when it really doesn't. That's reserved for the final track.

11) Abacus - This is another one of the songs that made me like Fionn Regan's work. I heard the EP version first, and this sounds relatively close to it.

12) This is the longest track. It's good, but it DOES NOT want to end. Not that it's bad. The song (singing) ends relatively early, but we're left with a piercing Piano with Fionn's guitarwork for about 6 minutes after.

This is an EXCELLENT album for any fan of Acoustic/Folk music in general. Import it!

I can't remember the last time I was so excited about a new musician. There are so many reasons to like this album. Fionn is an extremely talented guitar player - you'll hear some of the best and most original acoustic guitar work on this album. The melodies are what earns him comparisons to Nick Drake. Call me crazy, but I'd also compare it to acoustic Elliott Smith (the melodies, that is. Fionn's lyrics aren't melancholy like Elliott's).

Fionn's music and lyrics are truly original and compelling. After falling in love with this CD, I checked out Damien Rice because I heard so many comparisons between them. But frankly, Fionn blows Damien out of the water. I instantly knew Fionn's destined to be an enduring talent, not just a flavor of the month or a soundtrack filler. Thank God this man found a recording studio!

After randomly stumbling over this CD, I was so floored that I immediately began a long and rewarding quest to find his rare early EPs. Fionn is an example of the rare artist who will grab your mind and obsess you like that...

folk is alive . elliot smith, iron and wine, dev banhart are all there. but it took a debut album from fionn regan to ensure that it is kicking. i'm still in the process of listening 'to the end of history', but the song 'penny in the slot' in itself is good enough to motivate a review.

it was sheer luck that i did get a chance to listen to this one. a friend picked it up in europe and shared it with me. i've been reading reviews where fionn has been compared with nick drake, even donovan... i'm most reminded of pete atkin when i listen to this album, a great one...and i hope will eventually become a truly great one

sunu charles

When I heard "Be Good or be Gone" on a local college indie music radio station, I was transfixed. It reminded me of a younger Buckingham & Nicks sound. Simple and clean melodies and beautiful harmonies; acoustic guitar. I've also been reminded of a band called The Innocence Mission. Anyone out there other than me remember them? They never achieved a great level of fame but the indie/folk/alternative sound is the same. I can see this being a great "rainy day" kind of CD.

This album is incredible. The intricate yet subtle fingerpicking that he does with the guitar is beautiful. His lyrics and vocals feel natural yet inspired and poetic... I can't recommend this album enough. It's perfect for background music and focused listening.

Heard about Fioon at a recent Lucinda Williams concert.
I collect LP's , so I purchased this to collect.
I have heard some on the radio....XPN in Phili.
He is worth the listen.
Plus he's Irish!

I saw Fionn Regan perform and was taken away with his storytelling lyrics, masterful guitar playing, and a voice that makes you feel like you're his best friend, listening to him play in your living room next to the fireplace. This album is one destined to be a classic.

Brilliant debut. I saw Fionn Regan play the Basement Club in Sydney recently and was struck by the lyrics and stories of the music.

When's the last time you left a gig with the lyrics of songs you'd never heard before still drifting around in your head? The music is folk, but still fresh, funny, honest, haunting and original.