Name: Early in the Morning
Brand: Ais
SKU: 23498949
Price: 3.86 USD
Availability: InStock

Performer Notes

Early in the Morning is Irish singer/songwriter James Vincent McMorrow's debut. He cut it himself over five months in a cottage by the sea. It was released to acclaim in Great Britain in March of 2010, and worldwide in January 2011. McMorrow claims his influences as Joni Mitchell, Band of Horses, and Sufjan Stevens, but one need listen no further than "If I Had a Boat" -- the set's opener and first single -- to clearly hear Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes in the mix as well. McMorrow's brand of folkish pop is chock-full of tight hooks and arrangements, with his high-pitched falsetto amid lush five-part harmonies. "If I Had a Boat" begins sparsely with his multi-tracked vocals singing a cappella with a hint of reverb before an organ, an electric slide guitar line, a snare, and a kick drum announce the rest of his instruments. It's a pleading love song that begins with frail vulnerability before gaining confidence and momentum as it builds to a crescendo as a banjo authoritatively guides his words toward the transcendent. "Sparrow & the Wolf," with its skittering double-timed rhythmic thrust (courtesy of a relentless snare drum) is reminiscent of skiffle, but the echoes of Stevens' quirky song structures anchor it in present-day indie rock. "This Old Dark Machine" has more than a bit of Mitchell's "Woodstock" melody in it. It begins as a moper, but quickly picks up its tempo and becomes dynamic, with layered harmonies and acoustic guitars warmly yet forcefully propelling it. There are some weepers in the mix, too, as evidenced by the spare, haunting, "Follow You Down to the Red Oak Tree" and "Breaking Hearts," the latter with a strolling piano, mandolin, guitar, and banjo. McMorrow has a way of taking even these, his darkest, most yearning lyrics, and setting them inside melodies and arrangements that break their barriers with catchy refrains, reaching codas and lush textures. "And If My Heart Should Somehow Stop," with its whinnying steel guitar, waltz-time acoustic guitars, and a key change that signals the arrival of his soulful falsetto, is the second to last track, and it's the most triumphal and memorable tune here next to the single. He should have closed with it. Tighter editing (cutting two songs) would have made this set stronger, but it's a small complaint. Early in the Morning is a very promising debut by a sophisticated yet developing singer/songwriter. ~ Thom Jurek

Professional Reviews

Alternative Press (pp.87-89) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "His ability to paint a melodic tapestry is evident right away on the lead track, 'If I Had A Boat'..."

Uncut (magazine) (p.86) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "McMorrow's ruminative, ghostly register caresses the tenderest areas of grief and loss....An arresting journey from emotional trials to aural pleasure."

Album: Early in the Morning
#	Song Title		Time
	Disc 1
1)	If I Had a Boat	More Info...
2)	Hear the Noise That Moves So Soft and Low	More Info...
3)	Sparrow & the Wolf	More Info...
4)	Breaking Hearts	More Info...
5)	We Don't Eat	More Info...
6)	This Old Dark Machine	More Info...
7)	Follow You Down to the Red Oak Tree	More Info...
8)	Down the Burning Ropes	More Info...
9)	From the Woods!	More Info...
10)	And If My Heart Should Somehow Stop	More Info...
11)	Early in the Morning, I'll Come Calling	More Info...

Album: Early in the Morning
#	Song Title		Time
	Disc 1
1)	If I Had a Boat	More Info...
2)	Hear the Noise That Moves So Soft and Low	More Info...
3)	Sparrow & the Wolf	More Info...
4)	Breaking Hearts	More Info...
5)	We Don't Eat	More Info...
6)	This Old Dark Machine	More Info...
7)	Follow You Down to the Red Oak Tree	More Info...
8)	Down the Burning Ropes	More Info...
9)	From the Woods!	More Info...
10)	And If My Heart Should Somehow Stop	More Info...
11)	Early in the Morning, I'll Come Calling	More Info...