We haven’t seen or heard from Fionn Regan since his Mercury Music Prize nomination back in 2007 for his splendid debut The End Of History – seemingly disappearing into oblivion, Fionn actually went stateside to ink a deal with major label Lost Highway (a country/folk imprint of Universal, home to Ryan Adams and Lucinda Williams) after leaving original label Bella Union. He’s now back in the UK with a new label and album which is set for release in early 2010.
The Shadow Of An Empire will drop via Heavenly Records, who funnily enough have also just left the confides of being involved in a major label – EMI . After only releasing one album this year with Doves’ Kingdom Of Rust, Heavenly have managed to keep working with many of the bands and artists originally signed to the label and are set for a fantastic 2010 with new material being released by the Magic Numbers, Pete Greenwood, Edwyn Collins plus their new signings Soft Pack & of course Mr Regan.
I’ve been lucky enough to hear The Shadow Of An Empire on a number of occasions and can safely say that fans of Fionn circa-2006 will be in for a slight shock. Imagine Dylan releasing Freewheelin’ then skipping the three albums in between and coming back with Highway 61 Revisited – all scratchy telecasters and vitriolic sneers. It’s a fantastic record, one that shows progression in his already strong songwriting and him expanding his sound to a ‘full band’ situation. Highlights include ‘Coat Hook’, ‘Little Nancy’ and the forthcoming barnstorming single ‘Protection Racket’. Fans of The End Of History shouldn’t dismay though – there’s still a smattering of tender balladry on the new record: ‘Lines Written In Winter’ and the title track both hark back to the Regan of old.
Fionn will be doing a brief tour of the UK in November. Dates are:
November
Mon 09 – Glasgow, Captains Rest
Tue 10 – Manchester, Deaf Institute
Wed 11 – London, Luminaire
Thu 12 – Cardiff, Iforbach
Fri 13 – Brighton, Jamm
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Thats an amazing photo, and great news on Fionn too
i took it, so fanx :)
Just saw him in manchester and he was awesome the new album is going to be a stunner I’ve no doubts – if you get chance see him live!