Gene Morrissey’s debut EP ‘The Wrong Shade of Green’ is a solid introduction to the sound of this folk revival-inspired singer-songwriter.
Gene Morrissey – The Wong Shade of Green
Gene Morrissey lays out 4 tracks that introduce us to his sound, taking inspiration from various folk musicians from the 60s and 70s, and crafting something that is both interesting and evocative to listen to.
Track by track review
The EP opens with ‘Crucify Yourself’, a classic acoustic guitar leaning us in and soon joined by Gene Morrissey’s voice – a rich baritone, reminiscent of the deep tones of Leonard Cohen. Released as a pre-EP single, this song sets the tone just right. It’s more folk-rock than traditional folk, with a catchiness that brings back shades of ’90s Britpop. The lyrics speak to the listener directly, drawing us in and making us immediately feel involved with what the singer has to say. The song builds up as it plays on, going on to bring in drums and some rootsy, twangy electric guitar. The guitar weaves and wanes with it’s fills, adding moments of emphasis and release, and adding a fullness to the simplicity of the overall song. It’s effective, interesting and evocative, and a solid introduction to this musician’s sound.
Then follows ‘Smoke In The Park’, an overall softer song. The gentleness of the melody and instrumentation blends with the richness of Gene Morrissey’s vocals, adding depth to the sound of the song. Lyrically, it’s a canvas of monotony, wasted time, and uncertain futures, painting vivid pictures in your mind. You’re right there, watching teenagers smoke their lives away in London parks. But hold on tight, halfway through, the lyrics shift, and now you’re knee-deep in the singer’s own doubts, as he asks himself, “Will I ever make it through?” Gene Morrissey knows how to bring you into the fold, making you a participant rather than just a listener. The instrumentation grows in complexity throughout the song, starting off by meandering gently, to filling and spreading, almost giving the impression of struggling to fit around each other – an interesting exploration of drifting through uncertainty.
The third song in the EP, ‘I Think I’m In Love (Again)’, again showcases Gene Morrissey’s ability to paint pictures of everyday life and blend them with his own internal emotions. The song opens with a rumbling and almost ominous tone, reminiscent of a low hum resonating in a church choir, before transitioning into a bright acoustic guitar. An intriguing and captivating introduction. It goes on to paint pictures of everyday moments, such as riding the northern line or observing an old man in a park. It’s another track that finds strength in simplicity, enriching this with a dream-like quality to the ethereal backing vocals. With lyrics like “The lonely man became unreasonably annoyed” swiftly followed by “I think I’m in love again,” the entire song seems to blend the every day with dreamy idealism, creating a mood adjacent to the one evoked in The Kink’s ‘Waterloo Sunset’. There’s a warmth in this song, a tenderness towards the ordinary, a theme that seems to run throughout the album and creates a sense of real authenticity.
The final song ‘Traveler’s Tale’ takes on the form of a captivating storytelling journey, clocking in at 10 minutes. The combination of guitar and piano works to create melodic depth and harmonic interplay, making the expressiveness of the instrumentation more nuanced. The song paints a vivid picture of a wandering soul, and feels more influenced by classic folk music than any other tracks on the EP. The lyrics transport us into the story, with lines like “At night he slept in silence while the world outside him roared.” and the imagery of a man on a beach with “a face of ugly pride” captivating the imagination. As the tale progresses, layers unfurl, unveiling diverse characters and poetic moments. The singer encounters a multitude of individuals along the way, before again turning the attention on himself in a way that highlights a sense of personal introspection once more.
Throughout the EP Gene Morrissey’s strong and evocative voice leads us through a journey of our world, society, and his own relationship with it. Rather than playing the imitation game, he has managed to formulate his own sound by blending together a number of different influences. He draws from the likes of Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Donovan, whilst staying authentic by offering his own unique perspective and sound. ‘The Wrong Shade of Green’ serves as a testament to his ability to blend these influences and offers a promising glimpse into what Gene Morrissey has to offer.
A storyteller at heart, Gene Morrissey’s EP successfully blends the rich traditions of folk revival with his own authentic perspective.
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Words By Jenna Rodway
