Album: The Universe Is Laughing
Artist: The Guggenheim Grotto
Release Date: June 15, 2010
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
On Sunday, June 20, 2010, the Irish folk duo The Guggenheim Grotto performed their new album locally at the Pawling Towne Crier, their second show at the venue. If their performance had as much emotion as the new album they were promoting, The Universe is Laughing, it was sure to be a breathtaking experience.
Although their third full length album isn’t as easily accessible as their previous work, it still contains the elements of their style that makes them unique. With an overall dark feel, opposed to Happy the Man’s livelier characteristic, The Universe is Laughing shows another dimension to the duo. Using heavy bass lines and somber vocals, songs like “Trust Me, I’m a Thief,” “Map of the Human Heart,” and “Wisdom” come alive as emotional tracks in the first half of the album. In the second half, more instruments come into play, such as the accordion in the “Spiegel Song,” which also features an unexpected German line or two in the chorus, the ukulele in the title song, acoustic guitar on several of the songs, including the Iron and Wine sounding “Ruby Heart.” This diversity is not heard on many folk-pop records, making this one that much more unique and interesting.
The best song on the album has to be the title track, “The Universe is Laughing,” using the aforementioned ukulele, powerful harmonies, and masterfully intricate lyrics to catch the attention and interest of all listeners. “Everything I love I can’t explain/like if the world should disappear/only music will remain,” Kevin May and Mick Lynch sing in stirring harmony.
Unfortunately, some of the songs on here fall into the trap of being cliché.
When my friend introduced me the to band last year after having seen them perform at the Towne Crier then, I instantly fell in love with their then new release, Happy the Man. Although I don’t immediately feel the same about Universe, I see many comparisons between the two albums and hope to see and hear more from these guys in the future.
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I attended the June 20 show at the Towne Crier. It was intimate, to say the least; probably about 15 in attendance! My wife and I had a table immediately in front of the stage. It was Father’s Day and my second time seeing GG in Pawling. I am a huge fan. GG’s lyrics are intelligent and reflective, if a bit melancholy and pessimistic at times. Musically, Mick is a gifted, self-taught guitarist, equally adept on the ukelele and Kevin is a fine keyboardist and lefty guitarist — although he plays Mick’s right-handed guitar upside down! But their singing is beautful harmony. Honestly, I don’t think Simon and Garfunkel have much on Mick and Kevin lyrically or harmonically. Since the crowd was so small, Mick and Kevin graciously opened up the floor to requests. I reqested “The Dragon” from their second album. Mick could not remember ever having played it live! Nevertheless, he played it on the guitar — I believe it’s played with the ukelele on the recording. It was beautiful and heartfelt and afterward Mick acknowledged that it was a fitting song for Father’s Day. Kevin explained the story behind the song — it’s a personal story about Kevin’s father (?) and waking dreams – neat! Mick and Kevin are really personably and they having been touring the states ferociously. They’re building quite a cult following in the U.S. If only a song or two of theirs could get some real radio airplay, I have to think they’d become quite popular. “Her Beautiful Ideas” from the second album, I believe, is quite possibly the perfect pop song. All I can say is, it’s amazing to have such a wonderful duo play twice in Pawling in three months. I hope they return soon, and when they do, be sure to see and hear them!