Release Date: 24th May 2010
Label: Domino
1. I Saw The Dead
2. Becoming A Jackal
3. Ship Of Promises
4. Meaning Of The Ritual
5. Home6. That Day
7. Pact (I'll Be Your Fever)
8. Set The Tigers Free
9. Twenty-Seven Strangers
10. Pieces
11. To Be Counted Among Men
This may be quite a gross generalisation but pretty much all records that are produced by Domino have a certain level of quality. 'Becoming a Jackal' is no exception from that. Domino have released a number of high quality albums over the last year; Volume Two by She & Him, Heartland by Owen Pallett and Boys Outside by Steve Mason. They are a label that can spot talent a mile off, and Conor O'Brien who is 'Villagers' most certainly is talented, playing all the instruments you hear throughout the album. His amazingly well crafted lyrics are those of someone who possesses far more experience than the young Irishman does. People have likened him to Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst but the only proof of this is the occasional acoustic number. This comparison seems pretty lazy and just based on the fact that they share a first name and make sort of folky music. If anything Conor O'Brien is far more like Arcade Fire, but in other words, he is very good. Although this album seems very layered at times with conventional indie guitars and quieter folky elements, when it is stripped down it seems the most effective. On 'Meaning of the Ritual' and 'Home' the gently strummed acoustic guitar relies and focuses on vocal harmonies, and for me this is the high point of the album.
There is no point spoiling all the images that are weaved by Conor in this album as it is much better experienced aurally. There have only been a few memorable debuts this year but 'Becoming a Jackal' has changed that, and we are left thinking how on earth do Domino do it?
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