Title - 'So Let's Go'
Artist - Alan Doyle
What's that, you don't know the name Alan Doyle? Understandable, given that he's been one of the lead singers of Canadian folk rock band Great Big Sea since the dawn of time. But still, shame on you!
Doyle, himself a Canadian musician and actor, and yes, best known for his work as one of the lead singers of Great Big Sea was last seen pouring his heart out in the personal book that was his upbringing growing up in the tiny fishing village of Petty Harbour, Newfoundland. So, whereas Where I Belong was a candid exploration into how Doyle came to be, what was instilled into him as a youth, here on his brand new album, So Let's Go he takes it all a step further in yet more lyrically captivating musical memoirs.
Being that this is Doyle's second solo album, the first since Boy on Bridge (2012), you could forgive him for any sidesteps away from anything more personal in his lyrics. But that just simply isn't true, as Doyle mines more of his past on songs such as 'I Can't Dance Without You,' 'Laying Down To Perish,' and both 'Stay' and 'Sins of Saturday Night.'
Having written all the songs himself, these at times beautiful, and yet always tightly secure, homegrown songs make up one very memorable flowing pop album. Sure it's a brief look into his life at this juncture at just over half an hour, but the ten songs included are fully rounded, heartfelt captured radio sound bites that will have you hitting repeat on your CD player three times over - perhaps more!
Reviewed by: Russell A. Trunk
www.AlanDoyle.ca