Mull Historical Society

For a singer that began his career by first performing with microphones attached to broomsticks, Colin Macintye has certainly come along way since all those years ago. His fourth album release, under his pseudonym 'Mull Historical Society', doesn't waste any time sucking you into its melodic trance that refuses to let you go right from the opening track ‘Must you make eyes at me now’, which sets the bar for all ten songs. ‘Can you let her know’, soon dismissed any doubts that I had as to whether MHS could hit me with such a corker again but when the second song on the album kicked in all doubts vanished. I found myself dying for a cup of tea but couldn’t bear to tear myself away from Colin’s hypnotic voice, so, I did some multi-tasking and put the kettle on and up the volume went. You know you have found a special album when already you are looking forward to hearing each song again instead of thinking ‘is this album going to be a grower? The up-tempo beat keeps going until ‘Fold out city’, which gives Colin a chance to show that there is a bit of romance in the Scotsman. He sings with a yearning in his heart which should win him many more female fans. This is definitely a stand-out song on the album which feels like a wonderful, delightful journey that you want to ride again and again.

As the final two songs draw the album to a close, there does seem to be influences from Badly Drawn Boy. Closing with ‘Thameslink (London’s Burning) is just magical. With London being one of the three cities that has inspired him musically (Glasgow and New York being the other two), it is almost like he wants you to see the beauty in the big smoke by slowing down the pace and asking you to look at it between its grey-lined mist. If you can get past that then you can really see the depth and colours it really wants to give you and for you to grab with open arms.

I would also say the same about this album. Open your arms and fully embrace what Mull Historical Society has to offer on ‘City Awakenings’, because there is so much to take and enjoy in it. City or town, village or street; this will awaken all your melodic senses no matter where you are.