“Songs For Suicidal Lovers” is the debut album from reclusive vocalist, Shamus Dark. Featuring songs originally associated with by Frank Sinatra, as well as other classics from writers and performers as diverse as Chet Baker, Carlos Jobim, Hank Willams, and Joy Division, the album really is a different take on what has gone before. Arranged and mixed by Hong Kong producer Pete Millward, known in Asia for his Celestial series of albums (see www.hongkongdubstation.com), the album includes sounds as diverse as Sitar, Shakuhachi and Erhu, as well as jazz guitar, trumpet and Hip-Hop beats. And over the top of all that, Shamus’s sad sweet voice.
Like Shamus himself, it’s a Dark album, not for the faint of heart.
File under: Queasy Listening.
”Around 9pm backed by some suitably dramatic black and white film footage, Shamus Dark hits the stage and, accompanied only by a small I-Mac, proceeds to croon his way through a selection of songs from his debut album Songs For Suicidal Lovers.
The set consists of moody interpretations of “noir classics”, primarily from the 30s and 40s, but what is entirely unexpected is that the musical backing is a dark and ambient electronica (think Massive Attack meets Scott Walker) with soulful saxophone, piano and trip hoppy beats. If nothing else, it quickly becomes apparent that at the very least, Dark's love of the golden era of songwriting is genuine.
Watching this performance is like watching a character step out of an old film only to find themselves in modern day London. It is very odd but utterly compelling. It could easily be very, very good and it quite possibly is.”
Johnny Others www.indieoma.com
“Arranged and mixed by Hong Kong's Pete Millward (the man behind the excellent series of Celestial albums) and featuring input from local guitar hero Eugene Pao, the album is a dark and brooding journey through cover versions as diverse as Frank Sinatra and Joy Division.”
Adam Wright, Outtakes, South China Morning Post
“I think the CD sleeve for SONGS FOR SUICIDAL LOVERS is one of the best of the year.”
Paul Gambaccini
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