Delorentos

by Dave Donnelly
Compatriots Bell X1 and U2 are obvious but useful points of reference for Dublin, Ireland's Delorentos. Blending elegant '80s guitar pop with lush indie rock and post-rock soundscapes reminiscent of Canada's Arcade Fire, the group follows in a peculiarly Irish tradition of rock bands, as well as fitting neatly in with the more cathartic acts gracing the British post-punk revival scene, most notably fellow countrymen Director and Humanzi. The bandmembers having been featured together in various permutations since 1999, Delorentos formed in 2005 when guitarists Ró Yourell and Kieran McGuinness (who doubles as the group's lead vocalist), bassist Níal Conlon, and drummer Ross McCormick found themselves at a loose end. The nascent band achieved quick success on Dublin's live circuit, scraping together enough cash to self-release an EP entitled Leave It On in October of the same year. It debuted in the Top 30 of the Irish singles chart, earning the group a spot in Tony Wilson's prestigious In the City festival and a slot on RTé television's Other Voices in early 2006. Much of the following year was spent writing, recording, and tweaking what would eventually become the group's debut record with producer Gareth Mannix (Republic of Loose, Director, Angels of Mons). Released on start-up indie label Cottage Records in April 2007, In Love with Detail entered the Irish album charts at number seven and remained in the Top 50 for a further three weeks.