Play 90 second soundbite of '21' @ 'CD quality'
In-home recording is something that is here to stay, which is fine but, being able to make the most of the equipment is still a bit of a black art and Kavanagh is not yet too well blessed in that department. 'End Of Tape' really proves the point coz this could be so much better and I just feel that Kavanagh has rushed things and not stepped back and listened with an outsider's ear to what he's produced.
Ok, so it's raw to the point of being almost painful at times but, it's gutsy and the songs are definitely showing great promise. But, I think perhaps Kavanagh has maybe taken this down the wrong road completely; for me, 'End Of Tape' should be either totally stripped bare and acoustic or completely the other way and rammed full of rocking's, rollin' sound. Kavanagh's brave choice of going with just voice and (in the main) electric guitar leaves the album seriously short of real feeling, lacking depth and emotion. If this had been a simple acoustic work I think it would be a totally different beast. Also, if young Mr.Kavanagh took it upon himself to loop in bass, drums, keys, whatever, 'End Of Tape' would become totally alive and dynamically vibrant. I'm not knocking Kavanagh for his efforts, I'm just trying to see a bigger picture! And there is a bigger picture of that I'm sure!
'End Of Tape' really does sound like a work that's been done by someone who's used to working in a band scenario and can't quite come to terms with being 'solo'. Of course, 'solo' means exposed and that's exactly what Richard Kavanagh has done here - he seems to have rushed in just a bit too quickly as if trying to prove a point, the result being he's exaggerated his weaknesses rather than highlighted his assets. A better 'point' would've been made by taking time over this work - really going to town on it as either a beautifully rounded acoustic work or a wham bam thank you mam rock-fest - the basics are there and it will work Mr.Kavanagh, you just need to be see it from someone else's position.
So, 'End Of Tape' by Richard Kavanagh is an album of potentially very strong songs - Kavanagh needs to stand back from the whole thing, re-assess and re-work. For me, 'End Of Tape' is just the start for Richard Kavanagh; this young and eager singer songwriter just needs to reign things in a bit, take more time and things'll work out all the better for it. 'End Of Tape' by Richard Kavanagh certainly shows potential - now Kavanagh needs to hone his skills to bring out the best in his songs. I don't have a problem with this being lo-fi or a home recording, that's all fine and dandy - what I see is a young musician who is perhaps rushing things when he should be indulging himself a bit more to get more of himself into his music.
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