User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
The Shadow Of An Empire Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

  • Summary: The Irish singer-songwriter releases his follow-up to his 2006 Mercury Prize-nominated album "The End of History."
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Q Magazine
    80
    Not only is he an edgy folk singer, but Regan's second album sees the young Dubliner plug in to a similar ragged, rockabilly vein to Dylan's mid '60s classics. [Feb 2010, p. 111]
  2. As far as second albums go, it is a brilliantly bold, robust work, showcasing real development and the kind of graceful erudition that places Regan squarely ahead of the curve.
  3. Uncut
    80
    If Regan's Mercury Prize-nominated debut in 2006 attracted comparisons with Nick Drake, this belated follow-up ditches the finger-picking folksiness for full-on rock, and sees Regan mutate into a latterday Mike Soctt. {Feb 2010, p.96]
  4. While not wholly abandoning the folkie acoustica of his Mercury-nominated debut, "The End of History," he's discovered the pleasure of plugging in, turning up the volume and roving in a bluesy, rockabillyish direction. And a pleasure it generally is.
  5. He remains a formidable wordsmith, and a fast mover by the looks of things. However his career develops, it will be crucial for him to keep a tight hold of the bewitching elements that help make not just his debut, but also his latest, a refreshing listen.
  6. If leaving Lost Highway was a blow to Regan's confidence you'd never know it from hearing this - he's definitely taken the right turning.
  7. It’s a fully realised, sprightly rocking album that proves that sometimes musicians are best left alone to do what they do best.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Dec 16, 2011
    8
    Following up from his excellent debut The End of History, this see's FR show off his versatility and take a new direction. Plugged in and spedFollowing up from his excellent debut The End of History, this see's FR show off his versatility and take a new direction. Plugged in and sped up this time round, the results are again, quite impressive. I do prefer his debut but this is also a very good album. A great lyricist with melodies to boot. This is guy is well worth checking out. Expand