To this writer and music lover’s dismay, many still have not heard of, nor listened to, the man – Gavin Friday. His punk roots began not with the Virgin Prunes (my opinion), but when he showed up, uninvited, to a party attended by Bono and Guggi and then was caught trying to lift things from the house. [1] Now that is punk.
After Virgin Prunes, Gavin went solo in 1989 and has
ventured into many artistic venues – painting and acting among his wonderful
music. His four prior albums and countless soundtrack credits are songs you
know, you just don’t realize that you know them. Do yourselves a favor – please
check out Gavin’s work. It’s thought provoking, question asking, fun having,
sexy, angry, sweet, synth pulsing poetry. It's also inspiring music and
art. It was 1995’s Shag Tobacco that inspired a story I wrote in one
sitting just before 1999/2000 – filled with love, doubt, desire, and
angels.
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On Ecce Homo: There are love songs and fight
songs, reflections on loss and reveries of nostalgia, anthems for solidarity
and excoriations of the powerful` and if I’m honest that pretty well sums up
this release. ~Gavin Friday
Ecce Homo … clever Gavin Friday, borrowing from
Pilate and from Nietzsche. This album is too an inspection of what it is to be
human and being and an offering of Friday’s own self-reflection. The follow up
to 2011’s Catholic, as is any Gavin Friday album, is not afraid to
tackle subjects directly with poetic and emotive lyrics. This is why those who
know Gavin are ready for more already.
The album is classic Friday. The songs are a mix of driving
synth and mellow acoustic guitar, to driving beats, poetry rap, and even an
aria. You can hear the inspiration of Bowie and Bolan, feel the reflection of
loss, and stand proud at the questioning of power and zealots.
Friday has done it again.
Ecce Homo will be a welcome and satisfying return for
fans of Gavin Friday and indeed all those who love their music firmly left of
the mainstream and who are unafraid to be challenged by complex subjects. It is
your writer’s sincere wish that we do not need to wait so long before it’s
followed up. Colin Rice When the Horn Blows, Album Review
Track listing and summary of Ecce Homo:
Lovesubzero - The deceivingly slow burn
start that shifts into a driving pulse is classic Friday. This song feels like
it was left off Shag Tabacco and has matured well for almost 30
years. Think Dolls part 2.
Ecce Homo – Brilliant lyrics with
non-subtle undercurrents of the give and take of religion, love, war, and
politics. The video is simply stunning and raw with emotional imagery.
The Church of Love – We pray in our own
way, no Pope, no Rome. Our love is its own.
Stations of the Cross – A chance to take
a breath. The first slow song on the album. A conversation in angst as we walk
through the stations. Making my life so complicated. It’s you you
you.
Lady Esquire – Catchy repetition. Rings
the doorbell of perception – I’d love to see Cillian Murphy reprise the role of
Kitten for this video.
When the World Was Young – a song of
reflection of youth.
The Best Boys of Dublin – a song about
Gavin’s dogs. It’s so heartfelt and simple.
Lamento – Please being back Westworld and
use this song. It’s Gavin’s beautiful heartbroken and empowered poetry mixed
with and Ennio Morricone-inspired ending.
When the World Was Young (reprise)
Cabarotica – Young sexual awakening. He
had me at stardust crush...
Amaranthus (When Love Lies Bleeding) –
Besides being a gorgeous plant, this is a gorgeous song of love and loss.
Daze – A comment on our connected,
24/7/365 constant state of being on. We’re in a daze all “days” for sure. Had a
Run Lola Run vibe
Behold the Man – Preach Gavin ...preach.
Populism is all it seems.
[1] Edge,
Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr. (9 October 2007). U2 by U2.
HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-06-077674-9.
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