It’s gratifying for me to witness a small, independent record label garner a wealth of diverse, quality musical talent. Bella Union continually unearths musical gold and is an object lesson to many other labels on how to pick and promote the very best new talent. Irish singer/songwriter Fionn Regan is a new addition to the fold and this debut album ranks with the best of the genre released in 2006.

Dubliner Regan is another emerging, hugely talented Irish singer/songwriter. He has the most delicate voice, and exhibits the Irish bent for poetic song writing. THE END OF HISTORY is an enchanting, understated debut album due for release in August, 2006. Regan is currently touring the UK and Ireland supporting several top quality acts including Regina Spektor, Low and USA band Midlake. I suspect Regan has taken a leaf out of Damien Rice’s book by touring extensively prior to the full release of his new album. It’s a sound strategy as Rice would testify to; his album met with little response on its initial release in the UK, but flew off the shelves after almost a year of continual touring and eventual resulting airplay. THE END OF HISTORY opens with Be Good Be Gone, a simple and slow-moving song with Regan accompanying himself on a beautifully played guitar. The song rides along on the most delightful melody, a major feature of all the songs on this excellent album. The Underwood Typewriter follows and with it comes the most intricate, wandering acoustic guitar accompaniment. Simplicity and understatement are powerful tools of the singer/songwriter, and Regan is the supreme exponent. As a result you’ll find his songs will take a few listens to fully register, but when they do you’ll find yourself humming them continuously. Third song, Hunters Map, quickens pace with the guitar adopting a bass register as it flows along like a rushing stream. Regan’s voice has an effortless, smooth quality that is wholly compelling. Next song Hey Rabbit sees him taking a slightly more aggressive vocal route that reminds me of another of my favourites, Ryan Adams. One of several highlights of the album is Put A Penny In The Slot with its folk vibe, and voice and strings in complete harmony.

A dark, threatening bass introduces another highlight, Cowshed, which also includes the most subtle and beautiful backing vocal. Snowy Atlas Mountains immediately follows and is the most moving, haunting song on the album. This narrative track has a gentle country ambience, with the most expressive vocal performance and a wondrous instrumental arrangement. THE END OF HISTORY is a wonderful album containing twelve stunningly beautiful songs and performances, and one of the finest examples I’ve heard of the power of understatement. The only criticism I have is the shortage of sonic diversity although I suspect that this is reserved for the live arena. But it’s a minor point in the context of an album that will surely feature in our ‘best of year’ selection.

4.5/5