Cult Fiction is the debut album from County Meath’s Cult Called Man. The band have released two EPs previously to much acclaim, and have established themselves as one of the most entertaining and in-demand original bands in the country. Drawing from ‘70s glam rock and ‘80s new wave dance music, CCM are often compared to David Bowie, Talking Heads and Dexy’s Midnight Runners.

They hit the musical headlines last year after writing an open letter to Modest Mouse asking for a support slot. Their attempt may have been unsuccessful but the episode typifies CCM’s positive attitude and innate gumption. The broad sweep of their musical palette refuses to stick to a single genre or approach from one song to the next. Cult Called Man are possessed of an unapologetic pop sensibility, playing intelligent, accessible music delivered with a style and élan often missing from the indie scene. Their onstage bravado and scintillating performance is matched by the quality of the music and it is all tied together by ringmaster Luke ‘Razmo’ Cunningham. The only question is whether it would translate to the studio.

Thankfully CCM’s unconventional songwriting and personality come through on record. ‘I'm In A Dream’ is a mix of David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust-era songwriting and his Scary Monsters instrumentation. Recent single 'Make It Easy' has an '80s white soul feel, like Bowie around that time, with falsetto harmonies. It is short and snappy with some Queen style flourishes. ‘The Martian’ has a singalong chorus while the five-part harmony of 'Sad Bunch’ is irresistible. ‘Lonely As Hell’ channels The Police and ‘Light Bulb Sam’ sounds like The Wiggles jamming with They Might Be Giants.

Like an old-fashioned pop band, each song has a different feel and rhythm to the last. While the rest of the band lay down harmonies that are tighter than a gnat’s chuff, Razmo yelps, croons, and howls over them with a degree of vocal control and finesse that is rare. He comfortably mixes smooth pop singing with expressive performance. The style is open and there is a real dynamism to the music. Cult Called Man are truly unique in Irish music, and probably beyond, and this collection of songs is an excellent introduction to their world.

Cult Fiction is available via Amazon and iTunes. 

Tonight is the launch for Cult Called Man's new single 'Make It Easy' in The Grand Social. CCM are a band who have, over the past four years, played all round the country with intelligent, accessible music delivered with a style and élan often missing from the indie scene. It's easy to spot the band in the venue, they're the best dressed people in the room. They certainly have the loudest trousers.

'Make It Easy' is the follow up to last July's 'Mr. Wednesdae' which they launched in Whelan's. A year on and the debut album is in the can. Tonight is the beginning of the promotional campaign which will see them playing just about every festival in the country. There's a projector screen at the back of the stage showing TV static which sporadically cuts to a CCM test pattern.

The first six songs are delivered without pausing for breath with the Meath six-piece harmonising with apparent ease. Lead singer Razmo has become the frontman he always promised to be, with the moves and stagecraft to match his incredible voice. The band are as tight as ever. It's mostly new material tonight with old singles like 'Mr. Wednesdae' and 'The Walkyr' notably absent from the setlist. The band's performance is so unified that they even move alike. They appear to take real pleasure in performing these songs. 

The theatrical presentation of 'The Martian' has the guitar and backing vocals playing the part of a retro sci-fi alien monster. There's a touch of Talking Heads about them, particularly when Razmo yelps like David Byrne. The band are joined by a brass section of sax and trumpet for 'Shut Up And Glow'. The six becomes eight and the bass player has to sit at the front of the stage to make room for everyone. CCM have a restrained sound for a six-piece. They don't need every member playing all the time. As a result there is a real dynamism to the music with every note serving the tune and when they do all play together it is more effective. 

'Make It Easy', the single they are here to launch, has an '80s white soul feel, Like David Bowie around that time, with falsetto harmonies. It is short and snappy with some Queen style flourishes. The heat under The Grand Social canopy would be considered unseasonable if it weren't July but after six weeks of rain it still comes as a surprise. Thankfully there are a multitude of fans hanging from the rigging. The band inform us that they aren't doing an encore because the pretence of encores is lame. And there I thought they couldn't go up further in my estimation. They finish in truly climactic fashion. The brass section returns and the whole band dance in unison for 'Kaddilak Kids' and a prepared crowd-pleasing outro. Masterful.