A Comfortable Man

A Comfortable Man
Studio album by Cathal Smyth
Released 7 October 2014 (limited LP release)[1]
11 May 2015[2]
Length 46:10
Label Phoenix Rising Recording Co.
Producer Charlie Andrew, Kirsty Mangan

A Comfortable Man is the debut studio album by British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Cathal Smyth. It was produced by Charlie Andrew and Kirsty Mangan. The album was first made available in 2014 as a vinyl LP, limited to 1,000 copies and sold during Smyth's three night performance at Wilton's Music Hall.[3][1] It was given a full release by the Phoenix Rising Recording Co. in 2015, reaching No. 68 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 10 on the Independent Albums Chart.[4][5]

Many tracks on A Comfortable Man were written following the breakdown of Smyth's 28-year marriage in 2005. After completing the recording of the album, Smyth departed Madness to embark on his solo career.[6] Speaking of the album to the BBC in 2015, Smyth said: "The cycle of songs started with "Are the Children Happy?" and "Love Song No. 7". It was a very emotional time, it was a very cathartic act writing those songs. I decided I wanted to sit on them for some time to let the dust settle. When you're in Madness and you're writing, it keeps you occupied. It's [was] a very personal project on the sidelines. And I always think timing is essential and when it feels right."[7]

A music video for "You're Not Alone" was released in September 2014.[8] The song was released as a download single in March 2015, followed by "Do You Believe in Love?" and "Are the Children Happy?".[9]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Irish Times[10]
Mojo[11]
The Timespositive[12]
Uncut[13]

Upon release, Tony Clayton-Lea of The Irish Times stated: "A Comfortable Man is a cathartic exercise. Smyth has taken the opportunity to lay bare his thoughts about personal matters across a sequence of gently wrought, beautifully orchestrated balladic pop songs with rather morose titles."[10] The Times picked A Comfortable Man as their album of the week and commented: "Smyth's simple, honest lyrics and straightforward delivery mean that songs such as "Are the Children Happy?" make a real emotional connection with the listener, while his gift for a pop melody allows for light relief on the upbeat numbers."[12]

Mojo wrote: "...the musical document of his journey is appropriately desolate but altogether rather moving. Essentially it's Smyth playing Victorian parlour piano accompanied by mournful strings and celestial backing vocals."[11] Uncut commented: "The LP springs to life when Smyth ignores the ponderous ballads and hits the pop jugular. "Do You Believe in Love?" and "She's Got the Light" are joyous naif: "Love Song No. 7" tugs effectively at the heart strings, while "Are the Children Happy?" is the most gut wrenchingly poignant divorce song you'll ever hear."[13][14]

Track listing

All tracks written by Cathal Smyth.

No.TitleLength
1."You're Not Alone"4:44
2."Shabat She Comes"3:55
3."A Comfortable Man"3:24
4."Goodbye Planet Earth"4:49
5."Do You Believe in Love?"3:41
6."Love Song No. 7"4:03
7."She's Got the Light"3:27
8."A Requiem for Common Sense"5:25
9."Are the Children Happy?"3:10
10."Love Song No. 9"3:47
11."All My Lovin'"3:07
12."The Wren's Burial"2:31

Chart performance

Chart (2015) Peak
position
UK Independent Albums Breakers Chart[15] 1
UK Independent Albums Chart[5] 10
UK Albums Chart[4] 68

Personnel

Production

References

  1. 1 2 "Cathal Smyth* - A Comfortable Man (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 2014-10-07. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  2. ↑ Paul Stokes (2015-05-06). "Listen to Cathal Smyth's A Comfortable Man – plus read his guide to the album — Q Magazine". Qthemusic.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  3. ↑ "Madness Information Service Newsletter 805". Madness-mis.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  4. 1 2 "CATHAL SMYTH | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. 2015-05-23. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  5. 1 2 "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  6. ↑ Nick Duerden. "Chas Smash | After the madness, going solo | Life and style". The Guardian. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  7. ↑ "Cathal Smyth: On heartbreak and Madness - BBC News". Bbc.co.uk. 2015-05-12. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  8. ↑ "Cathal Smyth 'You're Not Alone' Official Video". YouTube. 2015-05-12. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  9. ↑ Nissim, Mayer. "Madness star Cathal Smyth unveils new song 'Do You Believe In Love?'". Digitalspy.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  10. 1 2 Tony Clayton-Lea (2015-05-08). "Cathal Smyth: A Comfortable Man | Album Review". Irishtimes.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  11. 1 2 "MOJO 258 / May 2015 — Mojo". Mojo4music.com. 2015-03-26. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  12. 1 2 Dan Cairns, Mark Edwards, Lisa Verrico and Clive Davis (2015-05-10). "Rock, Pop and Jazz, May 10". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  13. 1 2 https://www.uncut.co.uk/publication/uncut/may-2015
  14. ↑ "Madness Information Service Newsletter 837". Madness-mis.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  15. ↑ "Official Independent Album Breakers Chart Top 20 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
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