Son Of The Hound - Cheers, Sound, Good Luck

Son Of The Hound - Cheers, Sound, Good Luck

Followers of the Mad Notions podcast may be aware that on the 3rd of April 2019, there will be a gig in Limelight 2 for the official launch of Michael McCullaghs aka Son Of The Hound's aka Mick’s debut album (it's ok if you missed it, they barely mention it on the show). For fans of the hound, the fact that this is the inaugural release may come as a surprise. After all, his ‘Also-Rans’ internet shorts were a musical/comedy cult hit, his brand of guitar pop is infinitely accessible and he has the backing of international superstar Nathan O’Regan. Nevertheless, ‘Cheers, Sound, Good Luck’ is the troubadours first foray into album releases under this moniker, combining both a flamboyant bounce and thoughtful subtlety into its ten track setlist.

Playing to his strengths as a natural storyteller, Cheers… takes great joy in making the mundane engaging, with many of its song topics taking the recognisable and giving them consequence. As McCullagh croons about walking down winding paths, skimming stones and falling in love, you could almost swear he’s singing about your own travels. His innate ability to transform the relatable into the personal provides an emotional context that you instinctively align yourself with. Meanwhile, the upbeat, poppy (dare I say mainstream? I dare) tendencies prevent the record from losing itself in introspection. 

Walking the fine line between believable and melodramatic, McCullagh chronicles the Irish condition, showing ample flair in writing reflective, brutal, funny and emotive songs that emphasise humanity above all. Self-deprecation is frequent and autobiographical (“You spent too many years drinking yourself to death, in Liverpool and London they toasted your health”), depicting McCullagh as the everyman and endearing you further to his stories. Indeed, this is one of the great strength of Cheers… the way in which McCullagh breathes excitement and interest into ordinary life. As he harmonises his way through the album, you can almost picture him walking alone in the dark, or having a beer a little too early in the week, or chatting on the phone to his one mad mate who took off to Australia. Everyday stuff, given an urgency and poignancy by way of echoing riffs and misty keys.

It’s not all sessions at the local and wistful glances at the stars, however. McCullagh has a street preachers agency, with a voice that penetrates and gives weight to any subject of his choosing. His near panicked intonation lends a tremendous energy to his more serious topics, whether it be the anti-nihilistic anthem of ‘You Are Alive’ (“This too shall pass, nothing lasts”) or the startlingly intimate pop echoes of ‘Tonight, Tomorrow’ (“A broken island nation on the end of the world”). It is in these moments where McCullagh takes his talents to another level, where his blend of pathos, songwriting and honesty take centre stage, backed by a medley of booming percussion and electrifying guitar-pop.

At its core, Cheers... is a one-man battle against the darkness, an attempt to make sense of everything and remain hopeful in the face of relentless chaos. Critically self-aware, dynamic and diverse, the album's energy comes in waves. Be it the feel-good explosion of ‘I Wanna Live,’ the nostalgic stomp of ‘The Also-Rans’ or the slow burn of ‘All But The Road,’ 'Cheers, Sound, Good Luck' is a pilgrimage of crackerjack cackles, swirling emotions and jubilant fist pumps. Listening to this album gives you the same sense of comfort that the cold burn of a pint glass does after a long days graft. And this round is on McCullagh. A landmark achievement for the Omagh musician, who makes an early bid for most impressive album of the year.