The Shadow of an Empire
| The Shadow of an Empire | ||||
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| Studio album by Fionn Regan | ||||
| Released | 5 February 2010 (IE) 8 February 2010 (UK) 8 February 2011 (vinyl) |
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| Genre | Folk | |||
| Label | Heavenly Records (UK) Universal Music Ireland (IE) Diverse Records (vinyl) |
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| Fionn Regan chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| BBC | (positive)[1] |
| Clash (magazine) |   [2] |
| The Guardian |   [3] |
The Shadow of an Empire is the second studio album by Irish singer-songwriter Fionn Regan, released on 8 February 2010 on Heavenly Records/Universal Music Ireland.[4] The album's aesthetic differs from Regan's previous album, The End of History, featuring more electric guitar-based rock songs. Regarding this change in musical direction, Regan states that "this album's lyrically quite fast, with lots of word changes and phrase changes, and it asked for a different kind of coat."[5] In October 2009 the first single, "Protection Racket" was released as a free download.[6]
Following the album's release, Regan toured with support act, Danny and the Champions of the World, appearing as his backing band.
Contents |
[edit] Background and recording
Following the critical success of his debut album, The End of History, Fionn Regan began working on a follow-up with producer Ethan Johns. Described by Regan as "quite an uncompromising record" and "a combination of two uncompromising people", the album was ultimately shelved by his label, Lost Highway.[7]
Regarding their decision not to release the album, Regan states that "Sometimes when you discuss making a record with a record company, everyone draws a sketch of the house, and when you come back with the finished thing it's like, 'Oh, we thought the doors were going to be on the left side.' [...] [the album] is in a vault somewhere. It ended up getting clamped on the docks and the tariff was too high to get it out, and they put red tape around it. And so, I backed out of the drive and made the record that I set out to make."[7]
Regan subsequently left Lost Highway and relocated to Ireland to start afresh, recording in an old biscuit factory.[7]
The majority of The Shadow of an Empire was written whilst Fionn Regan was touring in support of The End of History. Regan states that he wrote character-based songs on his typewriter first, before putting the words to music, and notes that:[5]
| “ | touring is very different to sitting in a room with a piano, and that was a big part of it, and some of the tunes this time felt like I could move them. Like I could do them in a country way, and then in a straightforward, kind of Velvet Underground way, and then put them on acoustic guitar. The results were just what felt like a good fit. There are lots of other versions, and that was different for me, I found that really interesting, that the tracks became kind of movable beasts. It’s something I’m working on live, too. Maybe I don’t always want to play a guitar, you know? The lyrics are the centre pole, and now I can swing whatever canopy I want over it. | ” |
[edit] Track listing
All songs written and arranged by Fionn Regan
- "Protection Racket" - 2:39
- "Catacombs" - 3:25
- "Coathook" - 2:20
- "Genocide Matinee" - 3:52
- "Violent Demeanour" - 3:32
- "Lines Written In Winter" - 3:58
- "House Detective" - 3:06
- "Little Nancy" - 3:17
- "Lord Help My Poor Soul" - 4:45
- "The Shadow of an Empire" - 4:04
[edit] Personnel
The following people contributed to The Shadow of an Empire:[8]
[edit] Musicians
- Fionn Regan - vocals, guitar, organ, piano, lapsteel, tambourine, bullhorn, bass guitar ("Genocide Matinee")
- Brian Murphy - drums, bass guitar ("Protection Racket")
- Stephen O'Brien - bass guitar
- Laura Murphy - backing vocals ("Catacombs", "Violent Demeanor", "Little Nancy"), reception bell ("Protection Racket")
- Drew McConnell - bass guitar ("Lord Help My Poor Soul")
- Gavin Wheatley - piano ("Violent Demeanor", "House Detective")
[edit] Production
- Fionn Regan - producer, additional engineering ("Genocide Matinee")
- Brian Murphy - engineer
- Stephen O'Brien - engineering assistant
- Paul Stacy - mixing
- Steve Rooke — mastering
[edit] Artwork
- Fionn Regan - artwork, design
- Laura Murphy - artwork assistant
- Autumn de Wilde - cover photograph
- Swollen Design - photography of artwork and layout
[edit] References
- ^ 00:57. "Music - Review of Fionn Regan - The Shadow of an Empire". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/628r. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
- ^ "Fionn Regan - The Shadow Of An Empire | Clash Music Latest Album Review". Clashmusic.com. 2010-01-27. http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/fionn-regan-the-shadow-of-an-empire. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
- ^ Sullivan, Caroline (2010-02-05). "Fionn Regan: The Shadow of an Empire – CD review". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/feb/05/fionn-regan-shadow-of-empire.
- ^ "Fionn on his way to the Electric Picnic". The Irish News Online. http://www.irishnews.com/articles/616/613/2009/8/28/626167_392085110890Fionnonh.html.
- ^ a b "Fionn Regan interview - Features | State Magazine". State.ie. 2010-02-12. http://www.state.ie/2010/02/features/fionn-regan-interview/. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
- ^ Lindsay, Andrew. "Fionn Regan offers new track for free". stereokill.net. http://stereokill.net/2009/10/22/fionn-regan-offers-new-track-for-free/. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
- ^ a b c Barton, Laura (2010-02-22). "Fionn Regan: My way or the highway". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/feb/22/fionn-regan-interview. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
- ^ The Shadow of an Empire liner notes
