Mark McCabe, Scottish singer-songwriter, is by no means to be confused with Mark McCabe, Irish singer-songwriter. The latter, a former pirate radio DJ, did manage to scoop up two Irish music awards for his musical efforts. The former, meanwhile, has all his awards to come. That is, if second album ’Good Ways to Bury Bad News’ is anything to go by, because the follow-up to the Aberdeen-based artist’s debut effort is a showcase of award-winning potential.
‘Summer in Scotland is But a Word’ acts as a prelude for what is to come, McCabe’s voice making itself over heard a few chords that soon lead into actual opening track ‘Doubts’. It’s a solid introduction; a laid-back, slowly building sign of what’s to come. Lyrically it’s a good start too, which is cause for relief. Strong lyrics are at least 75% of a solo artist’s success, and McCabe has it 100% down in his second record’s opening stages. ‘Easy for Me to Say’ and ‘Crutches’ are no different, slow-paced but heartfelt and delivered confidently with all the musicianship of a truly promising artist. ‘Catch the Wind’ is a little more folk-driven, a quicker pace and fiddle backing, highlighting McCabe’s ability to hop between styles rather easily. There’s a Dave Hause-esque feel to the piece, and it’s refreshing to know that McCabe isn’t bound to a single sound.
‘A Good Way To Bury Bad News’ by Mark McCabe
It’s a bit of a shame to look up during ‘Welcome Party’ and realise that the album is already over half way to its conclusion, but the second half of the record is where the Aberdeensman really shines. ‘This City and I Have a Lot in Common’ is a sombre affair, another change of pace on an album that had previously confined itself to a more positive and upbeat atmosphere. Both ‘This City…’ and ‘Being Lost Presents You with a Better Chance to Be Found’ carry a more heavy-hearted and pensive sound, and the latter of the two, the album’s longest track, is also one of its standout efforts; the emotion of the piece benefiting it greatly on this occasion. ‘My Disguise is Better than Yours’ is the album’s penultimate effort, as well as a return to the “slowly-growing toe-tapper” sound that McCabe seems to favour most. It’s usually a choice between the two; resounding, almost anthemic or more withdrawn and sombre sounds, and it’s a huge mark in McCabe’s favour that he can nail the two with equal aplomb.
Scottish voices are made for acoustic, really. Whether it’s So Many Animal Calls, Campfires in Winter or the outstanding Frightened Rabbit, the evidence speaks for itself. But as ‘Join the Crowd’ sees things close out for ’Good Ways to Bury Bad News’ with an impressively Turner-esque lyrical sound, McCabe’s voice shines brighter than most. There is a lot more to be done before you think of labelling him Scotland’s answer to Frank Turner, and I’m hesitant to say whether you’d want to. McCabe is one of those artists left to his own category, as there is still a lot more to be uncovered when it comes to his potential. You can never have too many acoustic musicians in your libraries, and with this record, McCabe has set himself up as one with the opportunity to seriously break out from the competition. There is more to be done, and right now the Scotsman is lacking that really memorable, name-making track but it’s a solid start, and there hopefully will be much more to come.
3.5/5
‘Good Ways to Bury Bad News’ by Mark McCabeis out now on Cats? Aye! Records and Shield Recordings.
Mark McCabe links: Facebook|Twitter|Bandcamp|Website
Words by Antony Lusmore (@Metacosmica)
