('PLUM RECORDS')
Aslan, allegedly, are five middle-aged blokes who are all born and bred Dublin boys, hence this nifty CD/ DVD package (in-keeping with their roots) entitled 'Made in Dublin.'
While very few English-ites may have so far heard of the band named after the lion from CS Lewis' legendary 'Chronicles of Narnia,' they're name trips off the tips of Irish tongues ten to the dozen in light of their radio friendly tunes and soft-rock shenanigans, even if two of these 13 tracks are cover songs. But the luck of the Irish still ensures that their rendition first of Pink Floyd's 'Wish You Were Here' and then The Rolling Stone's balladeering charmer 'Angie' are handled with professional panache.
This being an 'unplugged' album and all, for a live gig recording the quality is outstanding and the acoustic guitars sound so lush and vibrant you'll wish you were actually there to witness 'Lucy Jones' at first hand, its gorgeous tune sweeping into Pretty Thing's upbeat pop.
'Down On Me' hears this quintet's far-reaching soul at its most affecting, while 'Chains' and 'Hurt Sometimes' bring out the string quartet for extra, emotion-rousing depth.
'Crazy World' has been released as a single and is another catchy track, but it's the perfect point at which to note that Aslan never ever intend to roar with their music. They are by-the-books and not very original� but thankfully that fact pales into insignificance once their sublime melodies kick in and keep songs like 'Where's The Sun?' astonishingly on the brink of truly irresistible excellence and awe-inspiring musical elegance.
And, obviously, if you need more than your ears to guide you, ditch the CD for the visual experience of their 50-minute DVD, recorded down Vicar Street in their beloved home city. 5/5 (Steve Rudd)
www.aslan.ie