Waltzing Alone

The Guggenheim Grotto | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: United For Opportunity
• ASIN: B000HWXRDS
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #165,857 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Denver Westword, August 16, 2007

"...soul-shuddering tunes that grip the heart with cold comfort and worldly wisdom."

Product Description

...Waltzing Alone is wistful, earnest, heart on your sleeve. It speaks to the collective human soul through themes of love and tragedy to which we can all relate, and treasures the most unassuming moments - painting them as some of the most beautiful in life.

At first feeling unoriginal in light of the amount of love songs he turned out for the album, Kevin came to terms with his approach. "The reason love is the greatest theme is that when you're in a relationship, your senses are so heightened; you're lifted out of the banal; you notice more and you see more details," he said. "I think that it's within that idea of a relationship that you learn a lot more about yourself because it's far more dramatic (than normal life) - that's why I write love songs."

...Waltzing Alone features twelve heartfelt tracks, leading with the aforementioned "Philosophia," and into the tale of a first night-swim, "Portmarnock Beach Boy Blue"; what it means to be lovers, "Told You So"; choosing the path of solitude, "Wonderful Wizard"; the chilling yet intimate "Rosanna"; whimsical new love, "I Think I Love You"; inevitability of death based on a Shelley poem of the same title, "Ozymandias"; unfulfilled passion, "A Lifetime in Heat"; a tribute to Leonard Cohen, "Koan"; the Marvin Gaye influenced "Vertigo"; leaving love behind, "Cold Truth"; and finally a simple and lonely piece about the lover who didn't show up, "Tromboner."

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful harmonies and thoughtful lyrics, October 7, 2006

By 

Gary Wise (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Waltzing Alone (Audio CD)

Pretty, laid-back sound debut from Ireland. Harmonies are a cross between CSN and Simon & Garfunkel, but musically more upbeat & modern. Great, original production of some true talent. One of KCRW's top picks, and for me one of the most enjoyable releases this year.

Stand-outs:
'Philosophia'
'Told You So' (Great single material)
'Wonderful Wizard' (Contains Title lyric)
'Rosanna'
'Ozymandias'

CD comes in a quality book-style packaging with great notes.

Outstanding CD

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What a nice surprise, June 25, 2006

By 

C. Tulodieski "Grasshopper" (Gautier, MS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Waltzing Alone (Audio CD)

I had heard of this album by reading a Paste magazine article in which David Dye (I think) of WXPN radio recommended it. I really respect WXPN and their hosts, so I though I'd give it a chance, totally at risk and unheard.
What a nice surprise. I use the word album for a reason to describe this CD. It is packaged in a CD-sized hardcover booklet, with excerpts from what appears to be a weblog or chatroom discussion on the demise of album art. This discussion carries through for several pages. There are also the song lyrics, a small graphic story that parallels one of the songs, and also some assembled notes and quotes from the band for each song. The packaging alone is enough to make you rejoice. In the age of digital downloads, this album is a treat for people who want to get to know the artists and the songs, for people who appreciate the craft of music.
Now, for the tracks themselves. Another pleasant surprise. Mature lyrics, good beat and creative production overwhelmed me from the start. I knew just a few notes into the first song that I was listening to a quality product I was glad to have purchased. Only Carencro by Marc Broussard has made a stronger first impression.
These guys have their own sound. It's mature, causes one to stop and listen, yet is delightfully youthful as well.
Keep your eyes on these guys. You'll be hearing more of them soon.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, intelligent music, December 22, 2006

By 

JP (Tacoma, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Waltzing Alone (Audio CD)

These guys are a great gem waiting to be discovered. I'm convinced it's only a matter of time before they hit it big.

As musicians, these guys are extremely talented, showing mastery as multi-instrumentalists and writing beautiful songs the way it seems like no one writes them any more: songs in 3/4, songs with bridges, etc. (Great live shows, too.) Top that with some beautiful lyrics courtesy of lead singer Kevin May.

"Told You So" is a perfectly crafted pop song. "Portmarnock Beach Boy Blue" is a boogie-fest that ends before you want it to. "I Think I Love You" is a cute country-tinged song about the excitement of new love. "Cold Truth" has to be one of the most beautiful break-up songs ever written. And "Tromboner" sees Mick Lynch, usually the back-up vocal, singing the lyric exactly as a trombonist might play it.

Pure genius, in a beautiful faux-leather cover. Don't wait, buy it today.