Enda Reilly

Enda Reilly used to be with The Mongrels but escaped to do his own thing which is a mix of the silly and the sublime. ‘Oxygen 21’ is a 12-bar blues based poppy song about breathing in and out and saving trees. Its quirkiness nearly becomes silly and spoils it all. ‘Strangers On A Train’ is based on the story of the film of the same name. It has a jolly catchy chorus but is otherwise delivered in such a way as to prevent you taking it seriously. Thankfully, ‘Hidin’ Away’ is played straight, a delicious tune, with heartfelt lyrics about getting away from most of it, and attractive acoustic guitar figures. Reilly’s warm voice puts it over with conviction, making you wish he’d taken that road from the start. - Hot Press

There is a fine, fine line between brilliance and insanity. The fact that Enda Reilly appears to surf both rims of the pipeline on Oxygen 21 is neither frightening nor surprising. Reilly leaves nothing off the table stylistically, and does not appear to shy away from any particular subject matter either.

Oxygen 21 is a celebration of what we breathe every day, with references to the trees provides it and the windmills that may harness it. The quasi-cabaret, quasi-bluegrass arrangement is unique and interesting. Strangers On A Train discusses an erstwhile pact made with a stranger (think Throw Momma From The Train). It's humorous and well-arranged. Just when you're starting to think "novelty record", Enda Reilly busts open a song like Hidin' Away, a beautiful and poignant song based on some serious acoustic guitar work. Reilly returns to the lighter side somewhat with I'm Doin' Fine Just The Way I Am.

Somewhere in here you realize that Enda Reilly isn't a comedian, he's more of a musical magician who happens to hit the funny bone on occasion (ala Lyle Lovett, Randy Newman). Other highlights include the stream of consciousness Hear The Cries, the bizarre Nut In The Hut and I'm Not Crazy ; and Why We Can't Live In Peace. We even get a glimpse of Reilly's live sound in the last track, Henry.

Enda Reilly has an amazing voice. It's a clear tenor with flashes of warm baritone and amazingly clear tone. Reilly handles the guitar very well and appears to have a knack for well-written songs with just a bite of humor. Oxygen 21 is an absolute treat that will make a permanent home in your CD or MP3 collection. So is it brilliance or insanity? You can argue about it, I'm going to go listen to the CD again.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5) - Wildy’s World

The phrase "there isn"t anyone out there like" is bandied around a lot, and most of the time it doesn't mean much. But in the case of Enda Reilly, I truly cannot thing of another young Irish solo artist at the moment who's even close to creating the type of music he is. That's not because he's after making a futuristic album "Oxygen 21" sounds like something that should be on the soundtrack for "O Brother Where Art Thou". Anyone seeing his name and assuming he's a typical singer-songwriter is in for a shock. It's hard to know exactly how to categorise him, and perhaps therein lies the problem. He's a little country, a little folk, a little like someone you'd hear at a hoe-down in the 1800s. Reilly says he's influenced by the likes of John Martyn and Nick Drake, and on "Hidin' Away" that is evident in both his vocals and finger picking style. On album opener "Oxygen 21" there's a touch of the Beatles, and on "Yesterday How I Cried" he sounds like he's in Nickel Creek. Reilly's range of musical styles also extends to his vocals - on some songs he sounds like he's from the Deep South, on others, like 'Hear the Cries' , and the beautiful 'Why Can't We Live In Peace?' he sounds oh so very Irish. While he's obviously adept at different styles and can sound different on every track, that leads to a certain confusion on the part of the listener. Generally, most albums tend to have a sort of uniformity about them that is missing on this album. While this does show the range of Reilly's ability and influences, it can get bewildering. Fans of folk and country will find plenty to like on Oxygen 21, but be prepared for a varied ride though a plethora of musical styles. - Event Guide - Aoife Barry

New is easy - different is hard. With his debut album 'Oxygen 21' Enda Reilly has managed to achieve new and different. He has created an original and eccentric voyage into folk-pop-country influenced music. If you join in you'll find intriguingly arranged songs with stunningly original lyrics. Enda makes idiosyncratic and emotive observations on life, love, the world, the greenhouse effect - including generating power from people pedalling in gyms - now there's a thought. These interpretations reflect the world around us, sadness of lost love, dark human emotions and unpredictable humour.

Oxygen 21The title track 'Oxygen 21' is one of the most inventive eco-songs I've heard in a while. Its origin is the 21% oxygen that makes up the air we breathe and the need to protect the trees that produce it. Not simply an 'eco-rant', this intelligent song is full of surprising musical twists and unexpected turns. 'Strangers on a Train' is a dark observation into the dangers of a casual meeting (to understand see the Hitchcock film or read the Patricia Highsmith novel). It's also a trip into Enda's song writing talent with a genial rolling country-inspired tune that belies its scary content. 'Hidin' Away' is beautiful, with a style that reminds me of a W.B. Yeats' poem set to music - familiar ground for Enda from his days with The Mongrels.

Among the other tracks are 'I'm Doin' Fine Just the Way I Am' - you do what you want to do and respect other people for what they want. 'Hear the Cries' and 'Nut in the Hut' are clearly one song separated at birth (reminded me of Country Joe and the Fish) and almost psychedelic in arrangement. Possibly they're stream of consciousness thinking or perhaps unedited, raw folk-rap if there is such a style – whatever they're good.

'I'm Not Crazy' - starts with faint foreboding and sense of gathering fear, and then gains a hard edge of brooding menace - seemingly written after the impact of Hurricane Caitriona – so no wonder. 'Yesterday How I Cried' and 'Chance 3' are introspective, gentle love songs about realising love's transience. 'Why Can't We Live in Peace?' is Enda's plea for deeper understanding of one another. The album closes with a live version of 'Henry' that tells the sad tale of the eponymous hero's life. More great lyrics: "She loved like a river in flood, he was left to wallow in the mud." Brilliant!

Joined by Dave Griffin (keyboard on 'Nut in the Hut') and Peter Keogh (bass and co-writer of 'Chance 3') Enda handles everything else on the album, from writing, to playing and singing, to producing and mastering. This album demands time to get below the surface and appreciate its different, absorbing songs, there's effort involved but make it - this album is worth the investment.


- Folkwords.com - Tim Carroll

Enda Reilly is described as a alt-folk, Celtic singer songwriter from Tallaght. His songs combine powerful lyrics with a unique and impressive guitar style.

Enda has just released his first self-recorded and self-produced album, Oxygen 21.

The record features quirky and emotive observation from the world around us in a melodic, acoustic ballad format.

Enda honed his skills gigging as lead singer with band The Mongrels, but his talented song writing has its roots in such luminaries as John Martyn, Nick Drake, the Beatles, Christy Moore and Paul Brady.

Oxygen 21 is available from Tower Records, Wicklow Street, and also online through CDBaby downloads and iTunes.

You can catch Enda live this month at The Cobblestone Pub on May 18, Thomas Reades Pub on May 14 and Bewley's Cafe Theatre on May 29. - The Southside People

They say don't judge an album by it's cover, and Enda Reilly's Oxygen 21 is an unexpected delight. Enda writes quirky and interesting alt-folk songs. He's a bit of an Eco-warrior but this is no rant. It's all loveable Beatles and Dylan inspired wit and wonder. - Irish News of the World, by Martin Burns

the debut album from this dublin based singer songwriter. now heres a folk album with a real twist in its tail. whilst reilly definitely dips into the more psychedelic side of folk and folk rock he also incorporates lots of very very melodic psyche pop sounds. the end result sounds something like john martyn or tim buckley on some very strong halucinogenics. having said all that its not actually as strange sounding as it may be on paper. there is plenty of classic irish folk influences ala christy moore maybe mixed with a bit of syd barrett. its definitely well worth your attention. may 2008 - Road Records - roadrecs.com