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A total array of musical instruments greet you in the opening song "Reserve" and I wonder has David been too adventurous. Bus as I listen, I instantly like his sound and his voice is recognizable yet unique to him. I'm extremely impressed at the quality. It is a credit to local music that such and album can be written and produced right here in Galway.
The album is an interesting mix of acoustic, electric and soft strings. At times his voice holds a resemblance to Radiohead, especially in "I Wont Move On". There is definitely a sadness in his songs which is beautifully carried over in his vocals, though thankfully not to a stage of depression, Though he does make his album felt in track 9. And consider his ode to alcohol, sung as though to a lover. A fantastic means of communicating the pain of addiction in his warm unintimidating way. Hello Ugly Hello Friend is definitely a success. A heartfelt collection of songs which will appeal to the romantic in us all. - Galway Xposed
GALWAY'S DAVID Lydon has been a mainstay of the city acoustic scene for many years. His earliest endeavours came to the fore on Jon Richards' Origin Recordings and received play on No Disco from the late great Uanneen Fitzsimmons. After many years of fine tuning his studio technique he now emerges with his debut album Hello Ugly Hello Friend.
Upon hearing the opening track 'Reserve', the listener will be immediately struck by how similar Lydon's style sounds to American alt-rockers Grandaddy. Cormac Dunne (best known for his work with The Stunning) on drums and Ger Egan on bass kick the recording into life and then the soothing lilting vocals of Lydon eases in between. Many acts will have been content with having found a particular sound and sticking with that throughout the recording process. However Lydon goes for a different vocal style as the tracks progress. 'Just Found Out' has a distinctive chorus hook and the minimised instrumentation around it really brings the vocals to the fore. 'Hello Ugly' has shades of Johnny Cash but wisely doesn't borrow too much from The Man In Black.
It would be easy to classify the easy-listening elements of Lydon's songs with that of Coldplay or Snow Patrol. However, to my ears it seems his influences belong more to the Joy Division, Lloyd Cole, Mercury Rev, etc., and already with a number of significant live appearances under his belt, this is an artist who could flourish. - Galway Advertiser
Discography
2007 - Hello Ugly, Hello Friend (Exceptional debut album)
2004 Fera (Limited Edition Ep)
1999 Origins - See the Light(Origin Records)
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Bio
If the world was struck deaf in the morning and nobody could hear another song, many would say we probably needed a break anyway. But words/pictures/music is only a small part of what David Lydon offers. He writes from the frontline of experience, relaying stories of overcoming addiction and heartache to find personal growth and happiness.
David has been a mainstay of the Irish alternative scene for almost a decade. Heavily influenced by the Seattle grunge scene in the mid nineties, he has since gathered many influences, chief being soul-baring singers such as John Lennon, Tori Amos and Bob Dylan. Another main influence would be David Bowie, who's inventiveness and creativity has always been an inspiration.
David Lydon has just released his debut album "Hello Ugly, Hello Friend" and having already received tremendous praise, the future looks bright for this Galway man.
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