My Goodness, McGuinness! – ‘Insular Peninsular’

Eastside Radio’s Album of the Week is Insular Peninsular by My Goodness McGuiness!

Insular Peninsular is the debut album for trombonist Lucian McGuiness’ project My Goodness, McGuiness! McGuinness has performed with the likes of Joanna Newsom, the Mike Nock Project and King Tide. My Goodness McGuinness! began as a way for Lucian and his childhood friend saxophonist Dan Juror to process and enjoy tunes they grew up with. With that said the album features four original compositions from the band, whilst the rest of the LP is made up of delicate instrumental 1970’s covers from the likes of David Bowie, The Police and Leonard Cohen.

The sound is one of understatement with two percussionists deployed instead of a drum kit and a guitarist instead of a pianist. McGuiness also sights the Hungarian composer Bartok as one of Insular Peninsular’s main inspirations and the combination of reworked folk, classical elements and relaxed energy levels give the album a definite less is more feel. The rhythms are crisp, the melodies smooth and the groove is on. My Goodness McGuiness’ willingness to experiment with their instrumentation is what makes this album so absorbing, David Bowie’s ‘Oh You Pretty Things’ is given a Latin vibe and Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye’ a country cowboy twang.

The simple and unpretentious way that My Goodness McGuiness! compose their tracks makes Insular Peninsular a beautifully fun album, one that is meant for pure enjoyment as a youthful air of playfulness transcends from their music.

Each day this week we will be giving away a copy to one of our listeners so stay closely tuned!