Eugene McGuinness – Moscow State Circus

Eugene McGuinness – Moscow State Circus (Domino Records)
October 27th, 2008
5.2/6.0

The lead single from Eugene’s forthcoming eponymous debut album is pure pop perfection. With a frantic music hall piano leading the way for most of the song, it’s a showcase for his songwriting talent, including odd lyrical nods to hammerhead sharks, service stations, an Alice In Wonderland-style world of falling down rabbit holes and quintessentially English idioms such as # did you drop a clanger? # that would leave Altavista with its knickers in a twist.

Moscow State Circus, and, in fact, the album as a whole, shows how much Eugene has matured from last year’s (still impressive) mini-album The Early Learnings Of Eugene McGuinness. Whereas those early songs often felt self-conscious, this track, with its excellent production and first-class vocal delivery, is one of the singles of the year. Don’t lose sleep over the pedestrian musical offerings of Morrison, Blunt, Faulkner et al, because the UK finally has a genuinely innovative singer-songwriter to be proud of.

words and pictures: Kate Goodacre

Domino Records release Eugene McGuinness’ eponymous debut album on October 13th, 2008.

www.myspace.com/eugenemcguinness85