English singer-songwriter Lloyd Cole has been making records for more than 20 years.
Known as the lead singer of 80s band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, their debut effort, Rattlesnakes, in 1984 won the singer-songwriter a place on the NME Top 100 albums of all time. This album still provides a familiar heartbeat for his live acoustic shows.
After breaking up in 1989, Cole went solo and wound up in New York writing his first album entitled Lloyd Cole in 1990, following up over the coming years with Don’t Get Weird On Me Babe, Bad Vibes, and Love Story, the latter producing the hit single ‘Like Lovers Do’.
Fans in the US and Europe kept the faith as his acoustic shows evolved into an irresistible mix of easy vocals, deft guitar playing, and self-deprecating banter, the singer feeling most at ease when taking to the stage alone.
A new band, The Negatives, a string of excellent albums, and a brief reunion of the Commotions followed. 2003’s Music In A Foreign Language was the result of the singer honing his acoustic set around the world, revealing Cole as a consummate folk guitarist and a sharp observer of the onset of mid-life.
Cole’s 10th solo album, last year’s Standards, is a rock album featuring a full band, including many familiar faces from over his career, and Cole himself producing. The album is seen as a departure from his traditional acoustic sets; a true medley of rock ‘n’ roll tunes.
Lloyd Cole plays the Roisin Dubh on Wednesday September 3. Doors open at 8pm and tickets are €26/€24 and available at www.roisindubh.net
