Artist: Fionn Regan

CD: The End Of History

Label: Universal/Lost Highway

Release Date: July 10^th 2007

Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey

4 Stars 

Delight in the gentle musings of Fionn Regan; you’ll float off to gentler times. Fionn Regan is the newest import from Ireland, but he is so obviously not the fighter that the Irish are known for, but more a softly vocaled performer returning to 1960s roots of a man and his guitar. The End Of History is Regan’s first album and he seems to be taking this task by storm, but a gentle storm at that. Fionn Regan has a crisp and precise voice reminiscent of Art Garfunkel. All the songs on this collection are haunting and almost palatable; as if you opened your mouth slightly you might receive the soft rice paper of communion along with the guitar playing. Regan sings in a subtle and understated fashion that lets the music linger and process through your thoughts at a languid pace.  

Particular track favourites of mine were ‘Be Good Or Be Gone’ which might possibly be a first single to hit the charts, and ‘Snowy Atlas Mountains’ which has an interesting set of lyrics to go with it,  and ‘Put A Penny In The Slot’ which sounds very much like a 60s song pulled from that era and shaped for present day. I would be saddened to see this collection of beautiful and rich songs be swept aside for the likes of the pop princes and princesses of the world. The End Of History is a steller first collection that deserves willing ears and listeners, I suspect Fionn Regan will find a small but passionate fan base. People will say ‘Fionn Regan’ as a litnus test for music, if you know who Regan is, you will know good music (similar to the Jim Jarmusch test of film). Fionn Regan’s voice holds a history of its own to pass on to the listener and those who will hear, can be assured of those aforementioned gentler times.  

Be Good Or Be Gone

Underwood Typewriter

Hunters Map

Hey Rabbit

Black Water Child

Put a Penny in the Slot

The Cowshed

Snowy Atlas Mountains

Noah (Ghost in a Sheet)

The End of History

Abacus

Bunker Or Basement

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