The emergence of Irish indie collectives such as Popical Island is evidence that the DIY spirit is alive and well and also that there’s practically no other way to actually release records for the majority of local musicians. Popical Island #2 leans heavily on slighty meat-and-two-veg guitar bands (with the odd addition rehearsal room staple, the glockenspiel) but that’s not really an issue, what it lacks in genresploitation or Brooklynite buzzworthiness, it more than makes up for in floppy fringed charm. Highlights include Michael Knight and Hired Hands.
Words: Ian Lamont
