Not too long ago, we featured Scottish born, Canadian raised, Belfast based artist The Mad Dalton‘s EP launch at the Belfast Barge on the website, so we thought it would only be right to bring you our review of that EP too!
But first, a little bit of background:
The Mad Dalton (aka: Peter GW Sumadh) was born in Scotland to an English Mother and Trinidadian father. After moving to Canada at the age of seven he has since moved to England, back to Scotland and now works in Belfast with his ragtag band members who include multi-instrumentalist Ciaran “Scruffy” Gallagher and George McKinney on lead guitar, as well as James Little on bass, Michael “Wally” Walters on trombone, Michael Mormecha on drums and Claire McCartney on female vocals.
The Little Belfry EP was released on 6th November and is a five track long alt folk record with seriously sombre overtones and a little bit of western flair.
Starting with the melancholy Cloak and Dagger, this is an old school ballad-esque track that reminds me a lot of a more modern day 19th Century murder ballad. With some Wild West style whistling, the slow chug of the bass drum and the subtle nuances of a funereal march, this is a song full of atmosphere which summons up the image of drinking alone in a backbar somewhere hiding out from the law.
Title track, Little Belfry is more of a grower. Initially the least memorable of the tracks on this EP, Sumadh’s lilting voice and those lazy drums are now stuck in my head. This one still sticks with the slow, melancholy theme, but Little Belfry is a different kind of gloomy than we’ve heard before; possessing the type of gently hopeful, yet desolate brooding that great song writers rely on.
There’s a definite motif running through this EP, and Drunkard’s Dream does nothing to dispel the suspicion that alcohol has played a big part in the inspiration for these tracks. There’s a really nice bluesy feel to this song that is uplifted a bit by the dreamy slide guitar. This is one of my favourite tracks with its relaxing instrumentals and seemingly bluegrass influences.
Penultimate track Madge is an interesting song, and perhaps the most musically diverse track on The Little Belfry EP as a whole. There’s still hints of the melancholic Wild West in here, but there’s a lot more fight in this one, it’s filled with attitude and there’s some great synth effects that undoubtedly make this a standout track. Backing vocals by the magnificent Claire McCartney also add a nice touch to the track.
The EP comes to a close with the help of final track, Farewell (Boy at the Station). Reprising aspects of title track Little Belfry, this serves as a sort of doorstop for the EP, bringing it back around to the beginning and adding a kind of storyline which ties the record together. Again, the addition of Claire McCartney’s smooth vocals adds some much welcome depth and warmth to this track that I like very much.
The Little Belfry EP is available to listen to, download and buy now right here. You can follow The Mad Dalton on Facebook or Twitter, or for news, music and poetry by The Mad Dalton check out his website here.
