The dimly lit hush of No Alibis Bookstore on Belfast’s bustling Botanic Avenue is an intriguing setting for an album launch show. The proprietor, David Torrans, has been a supporter of the music scene around the city for many years and this is not the first time the Malojian outfit have graced the stage between the paperbacks and crime thrillers. In fact, on a busy Saturday night, the suited and booted are spending their hard earned cash out in bars, soaked by incessant pay day weekend rain. That’s as Tom Waits-like a description as you’ll get here. The sounds of the 70s, the warmth of voice and poetic musings, however, are ours to enjoy.
It’s not even the first time Malojian have taken to the bookstore stage this weekend. Front man Stephen Scullion jokes that it’ll be a completely different set to the previous evening. They’ve sold out both evenings and there may be a few family and friends in for both. Eventually he concedes it’ll be mostly the same but in a different order. There are no complaints.
‘Watch The Rain’ is the perfect opener. Steam rises from the stragglers who have made their way in from the downpour as Scullion and his thee counterparts face the windows, watch the rain and gently ease us into the set. ‘Often Wonder’ follows in what is a classic introduction to the band. Delicate, distinctive vocals, finger-picked guitar and subtle instrumentation from Mike Mormecha, Joe McGurgan and Una McCann.
The band’s most recent single ‘Communion Girls’ receives an early outing. Written as the previous album was being promoted, it was the first track Scullion presented to the band. The rest as they say was history. As is the theme of the song. We’d go as far as to say it might be the only decent tune written about The Troubles. Full of childish wonder, big dreams and little intricate musical moments. It’s a crowd pleaser for sure, but one you can tell the band thoroughly enjoy too.
There’s a special rendition of ‘Bathtub Blues’ this evening, dedicated to the lead singer’s daughter who inspired, well demanded, the writing of the song. It’s her first Malojian gig, possibly her first one ever and like everyone else she’s transfixed as the band take a particularly uptempo through the bluesy riffs and nonsense lyrics. There’s undoubtedly something old-timey about Malojian. At times, the harmonies are delightfully 70s in sound, conjuring up images of Don Henley or Crosby, Stills and Nash in their prime. Moments like this though are pure Lennon and McCartney, instant pop classics. People here are tapping their feet and whistling along to the bridge having never heard the tune before.
Humour is something many bands lack particularly in the folk scene but Malojian aren’t afraid to stray from the themes of love and loss, to let us reminisce of days gone by when childhood games of hide and seek gave way to Mario on the Nintendo. ‘ Mario’ is the track, “you were the ruination of my world” the refrain. Now that we think about it, this is clearly a song of love and loss. There’s a little samba breakdown here, the following track lilts along with an almost disco beat allowing Mormecha on drums and McGurgan on bass to shine.
There are plenty of surprises in the second half of the show with a couple of tunes from Scullion’s old band. There’s some fantastic fretwork going on and a much more “country” vibe. Think Ryan Adams’ Cardinals and you’re close. ‘Shame On Me’ is an all out folk-rock-opera, bringing us back into new album ‘Southlands’ territory. It’s a real highlight, with each member of the band stepping up, the sound swelled by McCann’s accordion. Bass and drum breakdowns punctuate the separate parts of the tunes and this is where Malojian are at their best tonight.
While there are a few more tender moments including a dedication of ‘Julie Anne’ to Mrs. Malojian it’s ‘Calling Borneo’ which is the show stopper. It’s a rollocking tale of call centre woes, with that familiar tongue in cheek humour, a Fleetwood Mac feel, a drum solo and a crowd that just can’t help clapping along. An old one but a good one.
Without doubt, Malojian are a band at the top of their game. The live performance enhances each track. The overall feel is a little more rock and roll, more gutsy and spirited than you’d get on record. Not many bands would dare wrap up a show with a Beatles rendition. I read the news today, oh boy!