Sometimes you just have to get on paper what is you want to say. That can be in a 300 word album review, or it can be in an album itself. Having kept a portfolio of reviews of musical artists from Northern Ireland over the past number of years I honestly believe that this record is the best of the best around – certainly where I come from.
The Deer’s Cry was posted to this reviewer by Stevie Scullion towards the end of 2012. Stevie also goes by the name of Malojian. It’s taken a good three months to write this review as I’ve had to take a step back and assess whether or not what I’m about to say in this review is actually how I feel about this record and boy’s a dear, it is.
Lyrically and musically the album is as good as any you will buy in 2013. It’s also beautifully packaged and Stevie is giving a good lesson around the musical melting pot that is the city of Belfast in how to market yourself as a songwriter, if you are any good. The album is a culmination of a number of years’ hard graft playing back-end bars around his home town in County Armagh and beyond.
Stand out tracks are the first song (title of the album), The Old Timer, Julie Anne… – Jesus – all of them! I find it difficult to explain on paper how good this album is and it is the first album I’ve ever given a 5 out of 5 for. Stevie’s former group Cat Malojian were phenomenal and I’m so glad that although they are no more, Malojian will be around for a few years to come.
[Rating:5]
