The Mining Co. release their debut album, Burning Sun & The Atomic Powers Within. The band is led by London-based musician Michael Gallagher’s as the singer/songwriter. There's a melancholic Country flavour to the majority of the tracks...

Call me old fashioned, and a little stuffy - maybe even a little behind the times - but I find that in order to enjoy an album it's essential that the singer can actually sing. For the first listen through I spent a great deal of time wincing as the vocals and melodies clashed.

A songwriter he may be, but a singer Michael Gallagher isn't. While his kids/parents must be very proud, for the rest of us some of the tracks are a little cringeworthy. The songs are solid, it's just that someone who can carry a song should front the music.

The album contains 9 tracks (27 min, 11 sec) and opens with the strong 'Country Heart' (which would have been stronger if Gallagher could sing).

I'm starting to sound like a broken record here, but I did enjoy this LP, I just found Gallagher's singing a little too distracting.

6

Nick Smithson