Album Notes

The Minnows Reviews


Worth the wait… infused with the deep irony of the title and some great songwriting typified by Free Man Freeman, a majestic cinematic experience complete with Spaghetti Western-style chorals, bells, harmonica and strings. Impressive stuff.” Daily Mirror

“A cracking album… if you like Snow Patrol’s brand of epic pop then you’ll be charmed by this well-crafted set of infectious and melodic tunes.” Irish Daily Star

“Beautifully unhinged tunes, all steeped in simple uncluttered grandeur... Rafferty is an acerbic wordsmith with a distinctively languid set of vocal chords... never a dull moment.” Belfast Telegraph

“To get a true taste of The Minnows, you need to give them a bit of time but once you do you’ll keep returning to it… songs like Something New and Baby Blue are potentially the best of their career to date. A record befitting gentlemen of their vintage… the lyrics bear the war wounds of some grim emotional experiences. ” Hot Press magazine

“Incredibly raw and honest… it manages all at once to have some of Mike Scott’s pith, The Blue Nile’s over-arching melancholia and Paddy McAloon’s sense of a tune. Album centre-piece Why Don’t You Phone Me Anymore is Elbow-like in scope.” FATE Magazine

“These days The Minnows tend to follow their own hunches. Take their own direction. Do things the way they want to. Seriously impressive… it’s great!” Sunday World

“How can a bunch of miserable sods make such great music.” Irish Mirror

“Older but happier in their own skins… a deeper more considered effort from the band.” News Letter

“Mourneful, jangly, polite… impressively honest.” Sunday Business Post

“Considered and mature… The Minnows may be older and wiser but the likes of the rootsy and enjoyably melancholic single Free Man Freeman suggest there may be be life left in them yet.” Irish News

“Guitar pop with a nice line in yearning and melancholy on a wonderfully titled album.” Sunday Life.

The Minnows are Michael Rafferty, Kevin Carson, Paul Maynes and Stephen O’Sullivan.