Eamon McGrath
Guts
(Saved by Vinyl)
3.5/5
Well-travelled Canadian singer-songwriter Eamon McGrath explores toxic masculinity from a heterosexual man’s point of view on his new concept album Guts, which follows up his 2018 triumph, Tantramar.
Guts’ dark lyrical imagery is spread across a diverse musical landscape. The album showcases McGrath’s versatility as it transitions seamlessly from grimy, fuzzed-out grunge to twangy pedal-steel country. There are some great cuts here: “Yellow Sticker on an Empty Fridge” is loaded with guitar hooks with a very rusty Matt Good and Crazy Horse feel; “In Like a Lion” is a beautifully mastered country number that features July Talk’s Leah Goldstein on backup vocals; the title track is a catchy piano ballad that suits McGrath’s raspy voice perfectly.
Guts has good lyrics, good vocals, good production, and catchy melodies. It’s packed with emotion and musical variety, and while it doesn’t quite reach the bar McGrath set with his previous effort, it’s a really good album; give it a spin.