Music
Press
"Listeners, it's the second instalment of Cat Malojian and their excellent twang 'n' strum scheme. As before, it sounds sweet and sedate, the kind of expression that comes late at night on the front porch, nicely oiled by some corn liquor. 'We're Alright' feels the love and reminds you of those charming old Harry Nilsson records. 'Have Mercy On Me' carries a hint of remorse, like the scratchy feeling of Sunday's best shirt. But with 'Planets' the infatuation returns. Stevie's voice is breathless and cracked, like Elliott Smith or Rick Danko from The Band. It's a delight. They round off the CD with a live recording of 'Bad Company'. The rambling boy is overly fond of the whiskey, hanging out with unreliable friends and getting loaded. His mama is threatening to evict him, but the drink is still calling and the live audience are whooping with encouragement. Cheers, then. It really is cool for cats." Stuart Bailie, Across The Line, BBC Radio Ulster. - Stuart Bailie
"...Cat Malojian are from deepest darkest Armagh...Their debut EP Life Rolls On is an all acoustic country folk affair that's been produced by none other than the legendary Mudd Wallace...Whoever's singing reminds me a lot of Yusuf Islam himself, the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens. Their mellow sound is Americana through and through, with all four tracks here doing their best to soothe your aching soul.
Baby's Got It is a gentle ode to some sexy blade who's caught Cat Malojian's eye, complete with clarinet accompaniment to help create the atmosphere of a proper vintage romp. Only You is possibly a plea to the same woman not to leave in an hour of need. Dely Delee Delo is a lament about being listless at the end of summer, while the title track adds pedal steel to the mix for a woozy tale of a rolling stone restless for pastures new. Nice to hear a bit of studio messing making it into the final mix as well, courtesy of Mr Scullion..." Dave Roy, The Irish News. - The Irish News
"The cats that got the cream, Cat Malojian are a pair of musical missionaries from Lurgan, preaching their heart-rending gospel of folk, country and Americana. Their technical finesse is astounding, whether utilising acoustic guitar or banjo, the playing is never less than forensically precise. The stories they have to tell are wondrous and redolent, gentle lyricism fostering a real sense of nostalgia, of a grasping for something that is irrevocably lost. There are tales of drowning, of being god forsaken, of drinking moonshine and of getting high, of bursting life's bubbles and plumbing despair's depths. Cat Malojian are unquestionably mighty." culturenorthernireland.org - culturenorthernireland.org
“...a beautiful album to listen to. It’s the kind of thing that if it was made by Alison Krauss would win Grammys; and even though it’s made by two Northern Irish boys it still should; and who knows...it still might. Great stuff. 4/5” Hotpress Magazine, July 2008. - Hot Press Magazine
“Spinning silken webs out of banjo, guitar and voice, Cat Malojian’s self-titled debut is a heart-ensnaring triumph. Throughout, Stevie Scullion provides a revelatory lesson in songcraft, his frayed-at-the-edges vocal offset by gloriously twanging guitar and the chirpy banjo of Jonny Toman. Witty and full of heart, these songs welcome you with all the warmth of old friends. It’s all brilliantly unfussy; shorn of the gimmickry that increasingly masquerades as invention, the pared down melodies and effortless musicality of the duo are showcased in full by the crystal clear production. An astounding debut. 8/10.” AU Magazine, July 2008. - Alternative Ulster Magazine
I took a few weeks off from writing this column as things got a little hectic for one reason or another. Drugs binge you say? Sure, why not. Well I'm back. And to much rejoicing I'm sure. Or, you know, shrugging of shoulders. I don't want this piece to be in any way partisan but the last two bands/artists have been Irish: Dublin then Belfast and, well, spank me with a rolled up copy of the TV Times but this week I'm going with the Irish again and a band from Lurgan, Co. Armagh. Next week I'll spread my wings and fly somewhere outside of Ireland but it is Guinness's 250th birthday after all (an event they are celebrating in the States, where we are right now, as much as they would be at home. Well, maybe not with such drunken gusto but the banners are out on the streets anyway). So to Lurgan and Cat Malojian.
In another one of these pieces a while ago I praised the depth, strangeness and splendour of the new Northern Irish music scene and none come more strange and splendid than Cat Malojian (the name comes from an odd expletive Stevie's uncle used to shout when irked). They are two guys Stevie Scullion and Jonathan Toman one on guitar the other often on the banjo and they make a noise that sounds like it comes far from the freezing, slate-grey shores of the North of Ireland. It sounds more like it breathes out from the sun-drenched, lazy tangles of California's Laurel Canyon. It is music that warms the heart and catapults you to a warmth Northern Ireland (bless its cotton socks) never knew it could inspire.
New album The Dawn Chorus is a funny, tender, magic, marvel that will go someway to making your life better. Take Alphabet Song for example. It is silly and wondrous, pop and country and childlike and devilish. So many different things it is but the only one that matters is that it's awesome and just try and wipe the smile from my face when I hear it. A challenge you say? No, don't really try and wipe it off. Let's keep it friendly.
The penultimate and title track is a pioneer's ride east to west across America and is gigantic without ever really trying to be. Effortless it is but it's as beguiling an aural treasure you'll hear all year. The eight minutes pass so quickly the first thing I did when it finished on listen one was put it straight back on again. Not many eight-minute tracks have ever made me do that. A few. Not many. Neil Young's Cortez The Killer would be one.
It's a beautiful record by a duo that I hope are around for a long time. They release on their own Bad Paw label and deserve praise for fighting the good fight on their own. But more than their mocksey it's their stunning music that's the most important thing. And stunning it is. Support the small labels though for the love of all that is holy and buy it if you want it. Bless your hearts.
Til next week lots of love.
g.x
- Q Magazine
It's hard to avoid cliches when praising Cat Malojian's new album The Dawn Chorus but if ever a band made the jump to 'widescreen' then this is it.
The tone is fairly experimental as beats tear through their familiar acoustic sound and there is even a funky bassline on King of the Quagmire.
That's not to say this is a novelty release or should not be taken as seriously as their criitcally acclaimed debut.
From the opening track Where Do We Go it's clear this is a serious album and Alphabet Song is one of the catchiest tunes of the year, hinting at a 'full band' sound that is certain to translate into an essential part of Malojian's already irresistable live experience.
Other highlights include You Don't See Me which includes a synth-led melody at the start of the track that eventually morphs into a lengthy xylophone wig-out that people will be humming for years to come.
No review would be complete without mentioning the title track. Clocking in just under nine minutes, it's clear this is a key part of the album and interestingly it's probably the song that sounds most like the Cat Malojian of old. The melody is relatively sparse as layers of keyboards and drums make way for the more-familiar sound of the band's Lowden acoustic guitars.
The result is that the songwriting stands on its own and the track serves as a reminder as to how versatile this band are, using subtle atmospheric effects and backing vocals on what is probably the album's gentlest song. The epic tune has already converted Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody to Cat Malojian's genius.
As good as it is, The Dawn Chorus does not eclipse the other songs. There are no disappointments among the nine tracks and the band even manage a perfect finish with the Grandaddy-esque Can You Hear Me.
Indeed, it is easy to compare Cat Malojian with Jason Lytle's band such is the quality of this release. The best thing of all is that like their influences' better works (think Neil Young, Teenage Fanclub or early Dylan), Cat Malojian's new album hints that the best is yet to come.
Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music/reviews/cat-malojian--the-dawn-chorus-bad-paw-14522948.html#ixzz0UaDjxvNH
- Belfast Telegraph
Discography
Life Rolls On e.p. - June 2006.
We're Alright e.p. - April 2007.
Cat Malojian (album) - June 2008.
The Dawn Chorus (album) - Sept' 2009.
The BBC and other local radio stations play our music regularly as well as other radio stations & internet podcasts etc. elsewhere around the world. We have also made several TV appearances for the BBC & other TV channels.
Photos
Bio
Cat Malojian are a 3-piece band from Northern Ireland, consisting of singer-songwriter Stevie Scullion & multi-instrumentalist siblings Jonny & Rachel Toman.
Though having grown up within minutes of each other, Jonny & Stevie only met in 1999, while attending the same course at University. They have been making music together ever since.
Having played on all of Cat Malojian’s recordings & more & more often playing live, Rachel was added as a full-time member of the band earlier this year.
With the release of 2 albums & 2 e.p.’s, to widespread critical acclaim, radio & TV appearances and a steady stream of gigs (including high profile support slots such as John Martyn & Arlo Guthrie) Cat Malojian have spent the last few years carving out their own niche in the Irish music scene, adding such names as Gary Lightbody (Snow Patrol) to their list of fans along the way!
The title track from their “Life Rolls On e.p.” was used for a Vodafone radio advertising campaign in Feb’ ‘07.
Jonny has just returned from Nashville (Oct’ 09) where he was recording with Grammy award-winning producer Bil Vorndick. He was playing with European Bluegrass Band of the Year, Carmel Sheerin & The Ravens. They were recording one of Stevie’s songs, “Skylarking”!
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