Dec 13th: Eugene McGuinness - Cinema Paradiso

More from Eugene McGuinness today, and if you liked Sugarplum (see Dec 2nd's advent calendar post) there's a pretty good chance you'll like its B-side, Cinema Paradiso.

It's good to see B-sides surviving in the digital age - and not just surviving, but still pushing musical boundaries.



Cinema Paradiso is much more hectic than the relatively sedate Sugarplum, and from the first handclaps and smack drumbeat, you know what you're in for.

But the story's strong, the vocals don't become swamped by the music at any point and, like Sugarplum, there are lyrical hooks to keep your interest right through until the end.

I had my doubts about Sugarplum - although I'll admit I find myself humming it fairly regularly - but Cinema Paradiso is pretty good on the first listen, and grows on you more as time goes by.

Together, they make a pretty good pair - as any good A-side and B-side should - and I'm looking forward to hearing more from Eugene McGuinness in 2013.



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Dec 2nd: Eugene McGuinness - Sugarplum

Our second Advent Calendar post is Eugene McGuinness's Sugarplum, due out on December 10th, but here for you to preview below.

It's a punchy track with good development and, according to several commenters so far, a particularly good ending.

We'll let you decide what you think of it...


I'm in two minds on this one; I certainly don't think it's a bad song, and I love the punchy backing music and the catchy chorus.

There's just something in the verses that doesn't quite do it for me - although not to such an extent that I haven't listened to it quite a few times already.

Weirdly, I also find Sugarplum strangely reminiscent of Walk Like A Panther by All Seeing I (with vocals by Tony Christie). Obviously it's an up-to-date and much younger equivalent... or perhaps it's my imagination.

Anyway, make up your own mind - and you can find Sugarplum on iTunes via the button below.



You can keep up to date with our Advent Calendar posts via RSS here.