Fronted by the sibling pairing of Neil MacColl and
Calum MacColl, sons of writer
Ewan MacColl,
Joyland is a remarkably listenable album of intelligent, well-written folk-tinged pop that holds up from first cut to last. Sister Kirsty MaColl lends a hand providing backing vocals on the delightful "Shine," which conjures memories of an earthier Sundays and is complimented with whistles and mandolin, and the lilting "King Of The World." The lyrics of the MacColl brothers are often bittersweet as on "Memory Lane" and "Black Lines," in which the edgy guitars slice through. Neil MacColl resembles Richard Thompson, vocally, especially on "This Town" and
Eddi Reader, formerly of
Fairground Attraction, is a worthy foil on the two tracks that she sings on.
Joyland is often anything but that, if you listen to the lyrics, but, musically, it succeeds in delivering upbeat, sunny adult pop that makes not humming along an impossibility. ~ Tom Demalon