READER'S WIVES

''Idiosyncratic underground songwriter Niall James Holohan brings his band’s residency to the Theatre which with ringmaster Niall, accompanied by a series of fantastic gesticulations promises a Waits-ian night of warped ska / blues, Kurt Weill-influenced oompah, beautiful melody, distressing candour that - with lyrical strokes high on topographical references and Niall’s distinctive voice - all manages somehow to be pure 21st century Dublin at the same time. Expect the unexpected.'' - BEWLEY'S CAFE THEATRE

"An iron fist in a velvet glove" - SEB ROBERT - ABSOLUTE MUSIC MARKETING UK

After having spent a few nights with flamboyant Irish songwriter Niall James Holohan's (a.k.a. "The Dark Prince of Pop") lo-fi release "A Beautiful Corpse," there are two thoughts that keep returning:

The man needs a record deal.
The man needs an editor. Badly.

It seems that he's already taken care of the first thing, as the bio that accompanies the album mentions it's the last run-up to the recordings of his "commercial debut" that's set for the future. This is not really surprising, as Holohan - age 24 - has already more than a dozen lo-fi releases to his name. Those releases, they're not exactly stingy rip-offs, as Holohan seems to churn out songs at a frantic, almost insane, pace. If you're a hardcore fan of the man, you're in a lucky position (is there anyone who can keep up?), but the overconfidence can also become a bit of a burden. A Beautiful Corpse definitely has its share of good songs, but at nearly 80 minutes/17 songs, it's simply too much to take in one sitting. If these songs would rush by at Minutemen-pace, maybe then it would've worked, but only three of these cuts clock in under 4 minutes, so you're gonna have to deal with songs that are longer than you can expect from the average singer-songwriter. Fortunately, Holohan isn't really your average artist and gifted with a knack for coming up with alternately quirky, funny and sweet songs that continuously flirt with several decades of pop/rock, but retain their own, unique style. There are hints of The Beatles and even pre-Beatles rock 'n' roll, there's some vague flirting with punk, but mostly an indebtedness to 80's indie-pop and an all-over-the-place quality that's typical of a contemporary tinkerer. A Beautiful Corpse starts off on a delightful note with the They Might Be Giants-styled nonsense of "I'm Up for Chucking Parties (When I'm Not Around)," the jangling silliness of "No Instant Gratification for You (I'm Up There with the Best of Them)" with its memorable melody and the sturdy sway of "Owed to My True Love." Holohan can't keep up this level throughout the entire record, but enough sprightly moments are to be found in the album's first forty-fifty minutes. During the post & kettles-ramble of "Give Me Graffiti, Baby" he manages to evoke Dylan ànd idiot savant rocker Jonathan Richman, while adding a dash of punk gruffness; "Eleanor" is a lovely balled, and his rhythmic rapping on "Who You Gonna Follow" is almost reminiscent of Damo Suzuki's rants on Can's Tago Mago. Almost irreconcilable references kept popping up while I was listening to the album: whereas the folk-styled "You'll Always Need a Friend" reminded me of The Waterboys, and several other cuts flirt with the "outsider"-tradition, his sense of humour fits in a notorious British tradition (Ian Dury, Morrissey, etc). Even though many of these songs are very basic compositions based on vocal/guitar arrangements, occasionally accompanied by keyboards and funny synthetic sounds, Holohan has a melodic gift and knack for casually literary lyrics that manage to keep things interesting. There are basically two sins he can be accounted for, and these are a) the fact that he stretches several songs for too long, especially when they only have ideas for just the "pop format" ("I Dance Alone," the 7+ minutes of "Keep on People," which seems to go on forever) and b) also that his record really didn't have to be that long. If you've sat through any 60 minute album (I'm talking for myself, here), the barely audible whisper of "Tokyo City Mona Lisa (Kaolin Porpoise)" isn't exactly exciting. That said, there hides a strong 40 minute album in this release, an album by a promising talent who could very well become a household name if he manages to keep his enthusiasm in check and gets the opportunity to crystallize his song-craft.
- GUYPETERSREVIEWS.COM

Wait, I thought that Michael Jackson became the dark prince of pop when he started touching little boys? Well Irishman Niall James Holohan is ready to take that title from the legendary pop icon with a full head of steam fueling him. He’s already got, count ‘em, 20 releases to his name despite his young age of 24. I know he says that his music is lo-fi but it’s hardly that. He commands great studio presence and has a witty sense of humor that comes through not just in his music but even his song titles with names like “Whistle Down the Wind in Cuzco with Some Rich Thick Faux Inca Goddess” and “No Serial Monogamist, Me”. Definitely one of the better exports from Ireland ranking up there next to Lucky Charms and Guinness beer. Superb! - SMOTHER MAGAZINE U.S. (REVIEW OF NIALL JAMES HOLOHAN'S 'A BEAUTIFUL CORPSE')

Niall James Holohan - A Beautiful Corpse

Apollo - Entrancing & quirky Indie rock - brilliant lyricism, varied musicality. Strong songwriting, but lacks direction.

Adama - Club Med on the Emerald Isle.

Starbuck - Intimate, directionless lite pop with nice dark lyrics.

Boomer - Electronica to Disco to fiifties prom music, spans decades of lousy music. Squeeze Byrds into Crowded House.
- HYBRIDMAGAZINE.COM

Niall James Holohan is the self-titled "Dark Prince of Pop", hugely prolific, likes to write introspective guitar songs in lo-fi and a resident of the Dublin gigging circuit. Not to be confused with the "Prince of Darkness" Ozzy Osbourne, Niall is a different musician entirely, there's no metallic guitars or a knack for whining Ozzy-like vocals, rather a knack for witty, observations over minimalist arrangements. After getting over the fact Niall has released 20 studio albums by the age of 24, we come to 'A Beautiful Corpse', a compilation of previously released tracks used as a taster for his forthcoming "commercial debut" out, oh, so very soon. As a stand alone release, it's strong with plenty to chew over, it's a bit like Badly Drawn Boy in the crackly vocals and low-key performance, 'I Dance Alone' is all charming acoustics and mid-paced saunter without breaking sweat. Quite a stark contrast to the next track in sequence, 'Give Me Graffiti Baby', harsher sounding, and mixed at a different volume. It's Spanish tingled and volatile, which as another reviewer has noted, sounds similar to 'Surfer Rosa' period Pixies, like 'Vamos' or something.

Hey let's crack on, as there are 17 tracks to analyse on this compact disc, 'I'm Up For Chucking Parties' is a groovy little number, again understated and reliant on Niall's phrasing and wordplay. Pretty much most of these songs succeed or fail on Niall's vocals and melody, since the arrangements are sparse and not containing many instantaneous hooks. The Irish Dark Prince has an assured presence; I can imagine he leaves many an audience captivated, holding a crowd with what are essentially underground indie songs. Lo-fi indie music is an acquired taste for people who like bands no-one else has ever heard of, so depending on your tastes will determine how much enjoyment you'd get from these songs. Me? There are several moments which got my toes a-tapping and stoked, the most immediate and strong pop moment belongs to 'Yes, Yes, Yes.. We're Doomed.. And?' displaying some John Lennon influences and with a reference to Pop Idol, in fact other songs here are leaded with sly pop culture references.

When Niall gets too sparse and too quiet with not a lot happening as on the deadly slow 'Tokyo City Mona Lisa', the disc drags, but a perky upbeat moment comes along to wake me from my slumber, 'Give Me Graffiti Baby' always does the trick, and the production really is raw. From what I've read about Niall, he gives off plenty of charisma and drive (well, releasing 15 albums does takes effort!) so plenty of positives to take out of this compilation. And track 2 'No Instant Gratification For You' is an apt description of 'A Beautiful Corpse' because it takes a few listens to "get" the album, the lack of immediacy can be off putting but like a fine pint of Guinness, it takes a while to fully savour the taste, but soon you'll be drunk on the (black) stuff.

To find out more visit http://www.nialljamesholohan.com
- ALTERNATIVE ROCK REVIEW ON LINE

“this man is writing social commentary and it’s not the pretentious arty-farty crap that we usually hear” - JOHN O DONOVAN - 98FM

96fm.ie CORK / UTV transcript of “the thing” live review by Dorothy Cotter

Like a giant bowl of jelly at a cheese and wine do,Niall James Holohan stands out from the crowd.Unlike most bowls of jelly however,he has a great voice and will be coming SOON to a venue near you ….yes,even you there in the back!

Some people are not afraid to be themselves.That’s nice,but in fairness most of these people are pretty average - their thoughts are of bread and bus fares, shoes, soccer, whatever. However when someone like Niall James Holohan is not afraid,it’s a very good thing.
In the recent surge of the creature that is ‘the young Irish singer/songwriter’,a few have stood out.

They play catchy/soulful/pretty songs,they are photogenic,they are all friends(yawn).if they were shoes,they might be a pair of Converse Allstars - slightly left of centre and very popular.Niall James Holohan would be a pair of velour leopardskin ankle boots with pogo power.Funky,ridiculous,sublime.

Holohan has been prowling the Dublin circuit a lot recently,playing the prestigious Ruby Sessions (“birthplace” of Damine Rice,Mundy,Gemma Hayes etc),Whelan’s and the Isaac Butt,to name a few.it’s easy to see why he’s rapidly accumulating an adoring fan base - simply put,Holohan’s songs are genius.From the hilarious ‘Sexually Attracted To Myself’ ("I think I might be gay lads/will you still be my friends") to the beautifully plaintive ‘Devil Town’, he slides easily through various syles,bringing the rapt crowd along with him.

His frankness and quirky sence of humour shine through the lyrics but it’s also Holohan’s earnest singing that makes him so appealing.He croons,he soars,he chucklespeaks.
There’s a twinkle in his eye that makes you feel like you’re in on the big joke,you’re up there with him looking down on this crazy world where people get murdered for their beliefs and chewing gum isn’t 13p anymore.

He smiles.

He breaks out in a Cheshire secret grin all during ‘I think you’re great’.”WE THINK YOU’RE GREAT” the crowd chant to him at the end of the song.

It’s a good gig.

All in all,the fact that several record companies are showing interest in Holohan is no surprise ..he’s definitely going to be a “name” over the coming year.His next album “Cattle Of Fish” due out next spring should be worth the wait. - 96FM.IE / UTV LIVE REVIEW

The prospect of yet another Irish singer songwriter might be enough to instil terror into the hearts of many but Niall James Holohan, Dublin’s self-proclaimed ‘Dark Prince of Pop’, promises to stand out from the crowd. Describing himself as “a formidable live performer, and a gentleman and scholar to boot” he is also astonishingly prolific with some 15 DIY releases already under his belt. He has been equally busy on the gigging front, having played shows everywhere from the SXSW festival in Texas to In The City in Manchester. A Beautiful Corpse is a selection of 17 tracks, provided as a taster in advance of Holohan’s commercial debut release next year.

It is immediately evident that Holohan is by no means another Paddy Casey/Glen Hansard/Mundy clone. Although his songs never stray far from guitar plus vocals territory he manages to achieve a unique sound, or more accurately sounds, through inventive use of instrumentation and backing vocals. He also displays a good ear for a tune, succeeding from time to time in conjuring one of those wickedly catchy melodies that lodges itself stubbornly on your internal jukebox for days on end. A track with the unlikely title of No Instant Gratification For You (I’m Up There With The Best of Them) has taken up particular residence in my brain.

There are many influences evident throughout these tracks, everyone from Daniel Johnston to The Cure (I like Chucking Parties (When I’m Not Around) being very reminiscent of the fiesta spirit of the latter’s Close to Me). The song Give Me Graffiti, Baby has a frenzied sound closer to that of the Surfer Rosa-era Pixies. He is also capable of a more calm and contemplative style, such as in I Must Be a Fool to Still be Surprised That I’m Alone, although the more sedate moments on the CD unfortunately tend to be the less interesting from a musical point of view.

Lyrically the tone varies from Morrissey-esque misanthropic wit: “I don’t know your name and I don’t want to hear your feelings expressed at all” to the more political rants of songs like Who You Gonna Follow? Insults are biting, compliments few and a sharp sense of humour is prevalent throughout. Song titles such as Whistle Down the Wind in Cuzco with Some Rich, Thick, Faux Inca Goddess are also a good indication of the rampant verbosity that informs all of the songs on this record . There is a definite impression of a man who is rarely lost for words!

As this compilation of tracks is only a showcase of Holohan’s works as opposed to a commercial release it’s not possible for the uninitiated to know in which order tracks were written and consequently how Holohan’s music has been progressing.
Given this and the eclecticism of the songwriter involved it is hard to predict how next year’s release will sound. Going from A Beautiful Corpse Holohan’s music is pop but of a kind not likely to be bothering the upper echelons of the music charts. It doesn’t have the sort of high gloss sound associated with your average Top Ten hit but is instead a more old-school indie version involving infectious melodies, heartfelt vocals and eccentric personalities. The lo-fi sound of his musical output won’t appeal to those in search of polished production values and complex arrangements nor, on the other hand, are all these songs as original as might be expected. That said, where he is good he is very, very good – and where he is bad he is still far more interesting than his many contemporaries.

Check the listings - Niall James Holohan is definitely someone to look out for!

- WORDS BY MARY CARTON - www.threemonkeysonline.com

The self-proclaimed ‘Dark Prince Of Pop’ has returned with another pleasantly schizophrenic LP. Head shaking offhand rock and roll mixes with unimposing electronica and unconventional lyrics. ‘A Beautiful Corpse’ is all about hundreds of agreeable melodies, inventive instrumentation and a glad concentration on the up beat, which most of the current crop of singer songwriters seem to avoid. Raucous electronic trickery introduces many tracks before succumbing to tunes of a more traditional format. Those who know NJH know that he’s very capable of producing a perfect tune and listening to this album it hits you immediately that ‘I Dance Alone’ is that perfect song. Warm, a little regretful with a beautiful air, it sums up the artist as one who is humorous, touching and always intriguing. The production is a little ad hoc in places, but NJH’s talent at extracting deliciously emotional noises from guitars forgives that fault. The beat ‘em up soundtrack of ‘Give Me Graffiti, Baby’ sounds like a 1950’s scrap in Whelan’s and ‘Whistle Down The Wind In Cuzco With Some Rich Think Inca Goddess’ ads some drug themed lyrical spitefulness to the LP, which just goes to show that although you never know what to expect from Niall James Holohan, what you do know, is that it will always be good.

Úna Mullally
- www.funkymofo.net REVIEW OF NIALL JAMES HOLOHAN’S A BEAUTIFUL CORPSE - FEBRUARY 2005