What? I thought “toora loora toora too rye ay” was the 80s version of “skeet skeet skeet skeet skeet.”
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE ALBUM?
You generally can tell that a one hit wonder’s one hit truly came out of left field when the song is found on side two of the album. In the case of Dexys Midnight Runners (it really bugs me that there’s no apostrophe in their name), “Come On Eileen” closes Too-Rye-Ay, almost as an afterthought. Although the title of the album is taken from the chorus. Maybe they came up with the title, thought it sounded really cool and quickly wrote a song to justify its use.
The album quickly hooks me in with its odd mix of Celtic folk instrumentation, soul vocals and ska horns. If I close my eyes during “Let’s Make This Precious,” I can imagine that it’s really Madness. Mostly because I’m not that familiar with Madness outside of a couple of songs. But it’s got a clap-a-pella (just handclaps and vocals, I don’t know if there really is a technical term for that) bridge, and I really enjoy those.
They cover Van Morrison’s “Jackie Wilson Said.” It’s fun and boisterous and ridiculously catchy. I’ve never heard the original. Hold on, I’m going to take a break from this album and listen to Van Morrison so I can properly compare the two.
Okay, the Runners hew closely to the original arrangement with no variations, but hey, I won’t complain. It’s an awesome song. Too bad it’s followed up by the insipid ballad “Old.” I don’t know why, but I feel like singer Kevin Rowland sounds like Hot Hot Heat trying to do soul remakes of Cure songs. Is this a good or bad thing? Is it even an accurate thing?
“Plan B” is a slightly less insipid ballad. Come on, Dexys (maybe it’s plural, as in more than one Dexy, but in that case, shouldn’t it be Dexies?). You started so strong.
Okay, I spoke too soon (a problem caused by writing these blogs stream-of-consciously as I listen to the album without taking time for proper reflection). The song’s balls drop, it starts rocking, and I’m hooked again. Did you know Dexy is a form of speed? The music’s addictive nature makes the name a good choice.
FINAL VERDICT: The band doesn’t stray too far from the sound of “Come On Eileen,” so if you like that song, you’ll like the rest of the album. And we already know you love “Come On Eileen.” So why aren’t you loving Too-Rye-Ay already?
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