Bipolar Empire
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Bipolar Empire

Dublin, Leinster, Ireland | SELF

Dublin, Leinster, Ireland | SELF
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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

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Press


"(3 Stars) Album Review 'Feel That You Own It'"

Recording in Los Angeles with REM producer Pat McCarthy, enlisting Muse bassist Chris Wolstenholme to make a live guest appearance, and boxing champ Katie Taylor to star in the their video - Bipolar Empire don't muck about when it comes to getting things done. The Tallaght foursome's time in LA has embedded much of their standard pop-rock blueprint with a laid-back Americana feel, best heard on the warm strum of Trip ARound The World, while sharp-eared viewers will recognise the catchy Tempomanic from RTE promo reel The band's unapologetically radio-friendly fare swerves into schmaltz at times - their cloyingly motivational lyrics don't help matters. Yet Shane O'Reilly's soaring operatic vocals keep things breezy, while fans of Wings (harmonies) and Red Hot Chilli Peppers (basslines) will find plenty to like here. See biopolarempire.com
Lauren Murphy
Download tracks: Tempomanic, Trip Around The World - Irish Times - The Ticket - Fri 29 April 2011


"U2 Gain Some Young Stadium Rivals"

Witnessing Bipolar Empire at close quarters performing live on the set of the video shoot for the title track of their debut (featuring a cameo from boxing champ Katie Taylor), yours truly was reminded of the unbridled passion, energy and dynamism of '80s rock that is so often missing in these days of introspective indie. Not since the heyday of U2 (with the possible exception of Whipping Boy) has there been an Irish band that has so unashamedly taken it to the audience, rather than the other way around.
The debut album from the Dublin four-piece, recorded in LA and Dublin with legendary producer Pat McCarthy (REM, U2) and Kila's Lance Hogan, confirms their adherence to good, old fashioned rock values.
With a great bass riff, pounding drums, anthemic vocals and buzz-saw guitars, the opening 'Tempomanic' recalls the best of outfits like Simple Minds, Big Country and our own An Emotional Fish, while 'Playing With Fire' and 'It's Only Darkneww' boast guitar licks, ambient textures and soaring harmonies aplenty. Frontman Shane O'reilly's voice is both powerful and fragile, while the band seem to instinctively know when to step up a great or lay off the beat. With a pulsating rhythm section and metallic guitars contrasting with a pure pop melody, 'Start The Show' demonstrates their ability to straddle both sides of the rock/pop divide without falling off.
Elsewhere, they take it down a notch on slow-burners such as 'Human Race' and 'Get Out', the jangly guitars and piano vamping on 'Trip Around The World' recalls early REM, while the melody and harmonies on the acoustic closer 'Why So Sad?' are worth the price of admission alone.
This is big music with a big heart. It deserves a big audience.
Colm O'Hare - (4/5 stars) Hot Press Review of Album 'Feel That You Own It'


"(4/5 Stars) Album Review 'Feel That You Own It'"

Most will know Dublin quartet Bipolar Empire by their song Tempomanic which was used by RTE in it's Come Together campaign. That song cast them squarely as Muse acolytes, and bassist Chris Wolstenholme of the Devon stadium rockers even jammed with them at a recent gig.
The gusto of their uplifting guitar pop has shades of early U2 in places and I hear REM in the harmonies. It was a savvy move to employ the skills of Pat McCarthy, who has helped produce both bands. Songs such as It's Only Darkeness, Why So Sad? and the title track have a simple message of empowerment - not such a bad message to promote. Open Our Minds uses a nice rockabilly-style thump and twang to good effect and Get Out could be a lighters aloft anthem at all the summer festivals they are planning to play. Highly impressive. - The Mail on Sunday 24 April 2011


"Review of Album 'Feel That You Own It'"

If The Coronas were the big summer band a few years back, then Bipolar Empire have every chance of taking that particular role this year. Feel That You Own It has the same kind of sunny, light, summer’s-day party songs that made The Coronas a hit, but there is more to Bipolar Empire than this. If you can get past the initial impact of the record, there is a deeper side to most of the songs here. This is a powerful debut, it comes across catchy at first –with plenty of songs having the potential to be overplayed radio singles– but the truth about Feel That You Own It is that it is a great album, well worth a few repeat listens.

The opening track may be familiar to some already. 'Tempomaniac' has been chosen by 2FM as the soundtrack to their latest television and radio advertising campaign. With its infectious opening –which sounds a bit like a cross between Muse and the Spice Girls– and catchy rhythms, it is a great radio song, well capable of being the 'San Diego Song' of summer ‘11. The title track 'Feel That You Own It' continues in this vein, with cool melodic riffs perfectly suited to providing the soundtrack to a day sunbathing on the beach.

Of course there is more to Feel That You Own It than this. The second half of the album features some beautiful, well composed acoustic tracks, which more than anything else give the indication of how good a band Bipolar Empire really are. Powerful acoustic ballads like 'From the Son' and 'Why So Sad?' give Feel That You Own It far more depth, and really show the individual talents of some very skilled musicians. Meanwhile the effortlessly cool 'Playing With Fire' shows a band willing to try something different, as well as featuring a funky bassline the Red Hot Chili Peppers would be proud of. The highlight of the album is probably 'Human Race', a slow building bluesy track, which comes across as haunting and infectious.

- Bernard O’Rourke - www.highbrowse.ie


"Single Review: Bipolar Empire - Tempomanic"

Next Friday 15th October 2010, Dublin band Bipolar Empire release brand new single ‘Tempomanic’ at the Workman’s Club. The video is directed by Kevin Godley and you can check it out below.

Being compared to Muse is never easy – there’s many connotations that come with it. However, it’s a lazy comparison. Bipolar Empire to have a textured rock sound, but it’s nowhere near as over-the-top as Matt Bellamy’s usual histrionics. That said, Bipolar Empire know there way around a chorus – and that of ‘Tempomanic’ is massive. After just a handful of listens you’ll find yourself singing along at full belt – but after just one listen, you’ll already be hooked.

Singer Shane O’Reilly also knows his way around a clever lyric. This one is a particularly fine example: “just because you’re drunk doesn’t mean you can say what you want.” He has great range in his vocal, but it’s not just a one-man show. Joe Leech and Callum McAdam’s rhythm section underline the song magnificently, and Mark McGuire’s guitar work is glorious throughout.

A wonderful introduction to the Tallaght band, and one which indicates that these guys are going to be huge.

Rating: 4.5/5 - http://www.swearimnotpaul.com


Discography

Tempomanic (single) http://soundcloud.com/bipolarempire/tempomanic
Feel That You Own It (single)
http://soundcloud.com/bipolarempire/feel-that-you-own-it
Trip Around The World (single)
http://soundcloud.com/bipolarempire/trip-around-the-world
Feel That You Own It (album)
http://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/feel-that-you-own-it/id433820791

Photos

Bio

THE BAND
Shane O’Reilly – singer
Joe Leech – bass
Mark Maguire – guitar
Callum McAdam – drums

ABOUT THE BAND
While at the OXEGEN music festival, Ireland in 2007, friends Shane, Joe and Callum decided they wanted to BE on stage – not in front of it and thus Bipolar Empire was born! They approached Mark Maguire, a talented guitarist, songwriter and longtime friend – and Bipolar Empire became a quartet.

Their folk-infused rock’n’ roll sound and tight stage performances swiftly began to win fans – and as the live shows developed so did their fanbase. Last year, the band were fortunate enough to win a Hot Press competition to find an unsigned band to play the 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Trafalgar Square alongside Kila , John Spillane & The Coronas. The boys wowed the massive London crowd – with the prestigious slot winning them lots of UK fans! They then went on to perform at Oxegen, a dream come true, playing to a packed out 2FM Hot Press Academy Stage. Driven by the momentum of a fantastic summer, the band finished recording their debut album, co-produced by legendary Pat McCarthy (REM, Madonna, U2, Counting Crows) and Lance Hogan (music producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist who has worked with some of the industry's top names: U2, Sinead O'Connor, Kíla, Dead Can Dance, Horslips, The Dubliners)

The first single to be taken from their debut album ‘Feel That You Own It’ was the outrageously catchy track ‘Tempomanic’. It was released in October 2010 and was quickly chosen to be the soundtrack to RTE 2FM’s TV and radio campaign. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCQCB8hmXoc

At a packed gig in The Workman’s Club in Dublin in March of this year the band surprised the audience with a very special treat – Muse bassist Chris Wolstenholme joined the band onstage for 2 songs! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aTzW6uFdAA

The second single and title track from the album, ‘Feel That You Own It’ , was released in April of 2011. The band scored another coup..The video features world boxing champion Katie Taylor and was directed by legendary videomaker Kevin Godley (U2, Blur, Snow Patrol). The video has had 57,000 views on youtube so far... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHXSw0RMnuo

Their debut album hit the shelves on April 29th and features 11 tracks brimming with pounding beats, thumping basslines, soaring guitars and the unmistakable voice of Shane O’Reilly.

The band have been working hard all summer, playing festivals all over the country – and also being asked to play at the London Feis – alongside musical heroes Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Christy Moore and Horslips, to name a few!

Crowd favourite ‘Trip Around The World’ was the third single to be taken from the album and was released on July 8 – the eve of their second Oxegen performance! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTerhD9azdg The band took to the 2FM Hot Press stage again to a happy crowd of revellers, singing their songs back to them!

They played Croke Park at half-time for the All Ireland Semi Finals 28th August, have been asked to play a prestigious gig at Facebook Ireland HQ 16th September, headline a show at Whelans on 10th September and then they head off to Brazil for a tour!

This band are one to watch – but don’t just take our word for it...

What the critics say:

“..it would take a brave soul indeed not to wager on Bipolar Empire following fellow Dubliners The Script into the big league. ...This is a band to watch.” Irish Independent

“Hotly tipped as one of the new Irish groups most likely to make it big on the international scene. Their debut album… is simply a knockout.” Sunday World

“Not since the heyday of U2… has there been an Irish band that has so unashamedly taken it to the audience rather than the other way around” Hot Press

“Make no mistake, this is a band with vision.” The Star

“Unapologetically radio-friendly” The Irish Times

“Highly impressive.” Daily Mail on Sunday

Live Dates
Sat 13 August - Bluebreeze Festival, Offaly
Sun 21 August - Rose of Tralee, Kerry
Fri 26 August - Oranmore, Galway
Sat 27 August - Kilfinane Bike Fest, Limerick
Sun 28 August - So Sad Gig, Dundalk
Sat 10 Sept – Headline gig Whelans, Dublin
Thurs 15 Sept – Athlone IMRO Showcase Tour
Fri 16 Sept – Facebook Ireland HQ - Live Broadcast
Sat 17 Sept – Croke Park FeverPitch
Mon 19 Sept – UNICEF Sessions at Trinity College
Wed 21 Sept – College Gig Limerick
Thurs 22 Sept – Arthurs Day – 2 gigs
Sat 24 Sept – Green Village Music & Arts Festival, Mullingar
Thurs 6 Oct - University College Galway - Freshers week,
Fri 7 October - Cypress Avenue, Cork
Tues 18 October - Fly Dublin for Brazil
Fri 21 October - Pelourinho, Salvador city, Brazil
Sun 23 October - Arena Princesa do Norte - Capim Grosso city, Bahia, Brazil
Wed 26 October - SEFC in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

http:/www.bipolarempire.com
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