The Script: Satellites review: Danny rewrites the Script for lost friend, writes ADRIAN THRILLS By Adrian Thrills for the Daily Mail Published: 01:00 BST, 16 August 2024 | Updated: 01:13 BST, 16 August 2024 e-mail View comments The Script: Satellites (BMG) Verdict: Life-affirming salute Rating: When The Script’s guitarist Mark Sheehan died last year after a brief illness, singer Danny O’Donoghue lost more than a bandmate. They’d been kindred spirits since bonding over a love of American soul music in their teens in Dublin. Before forming the band in 2001, they worked as a production team in Los Angeles .
So it’s no surprise that Sheehan’s absence hangs heavily over Satellites, the Irish group’s first album since his death. He and O’Donoghue were The Script’s creative hub. But, while there was talk of calling it a day, the group believed Mark would have wanted them to go on, and this surprisingly upbeat, life-affirming album is a fitting tribute; the light after the darkness, according to drummer Glen Power.
With Danny and Glen backed by bassist Ben Sargent and guitarist Ben Weaver, many of the songs hark back to the simple, emotional pop of the group’s self-titled 2008 debut album. The folky title track was co-written by Sheehan in one of his last sessions, while Gone mourns his passing. ‘Like a shooting star across the sky, in a second you were gone,’ laments Danny.
Former Voice UK coach O’Donoghue sings of his upbringing on Home Is Where The Hurt Is, while ballad At Your Feet looks to another Irish band: the opening verse has a resemblance to U2’s Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses before progressing to an arena-ready chorus. The Script’s guitarist Mark Sheehan (pictured with lead singre Danny O-Donnoghue) died last year after a brief illness The album cover of The Script's first album since their bandmate passed away Danny and Stephen had been kindred spirits since bonding over a love of American soul music in their teens in Dublin (pictured: The Script) Danny O'Donoghue of The Script supporting Take That performing on stage at BST Hyde Park Festival in 2023 Without Sheehan as his foil, O’Donoghue has sought the help of outside collaborators. Co-writers Steve Robson and Wayne Hector, best known for their work with Take That and One Direction respectively, add funk and R&B elements, and the album is bookended by two energetic dance tracks in Both Ways and Run Run Run.
A reliance on mid-tempo pop means Satellites loses some of its initial momentum. But it’s to The Script’s credit that they’ve returned so strongly while wearing their hearts firmly on their sleeves. Morgan Wade: Obsessed (Sony) Verdict: Powerful new country voice Rating: With interest in country music surging, Morgan Wade has timed her fourth album to perfection.
The singer from Virginia isn’t a typical country artist, having just completed a North American tour with rockers Alanis Morissette and Joan Jett. But her vivid tales of life on the road place her solidly in Nashville’s rich storytelling tradition. Blessed with a voice that carries a Stevie Nicks-like huskiness with hints of Sheryl Crow, she sounds older than her 29 years, but her hard-bitten tone suits the rawness of Obsessed.
Produced by her touring guitarist Clint Wells, it’s a wholly self-penned album on which she’s either in a lonely motel or crossing a state line in search of love. Wade’s grittiness is rooted in real-life hard knocks. Last year, she underwent preventative surgery after being diagnosed with a high-risk gene mutation.
A recovering alcoholic, she tells how tempting she still finds the mini-bar. ‘I know what it’s like when it’s late at night, and my mind talks good and loud,’ she sings on 2AM In London. She strikes a balance between country and rock.
Her ballads lean towards the former, with Moth To A Flame garnished by pedal steel. But she’s just as convincing on the rock numbers, mixing power with melodic hooks on Total Control. Country crooner Morgan Wade has released her fourth album Obsessed (pictured: the artwork for the project) The singer and songwriter performing at The Caverns on April 14, 2024 in Pelham, Tennessee There’s also room for a commanding duet, with Californian pop star Kesha joining her as she catalogues a series of romantic disappointments on Walked On Water.
‘People like me, we don’t do well at sea, ’cause I thought I walked on water,’ she sings, with Kesha’s backing a ringing endorsement of a country star with a rock-and-roll heart. Both albums are out today. The Script start a UK tour on November 11 at SSE Arena, Belfast (ticketmaster.
co.uk). Best of the new releases this week Foster The People: Paradise State Of Mind (Atlantic) Rating: Having never quite lived up to the promise of their 2010 mega-hit Pumped Up Kicks, L.
A. duo Mark Foster and Isom Innis look to the dance music of the 1970s and 1980s in a bid to restore their fortunes. Their fourth album is a euphoric affair that combines electronic disco and retro-funk while adding a commercial sheen honed by Foster’s years penning advertising jingles.
The band don’t always make the most of their influences, but the nostalgic Lost In Space is an irrefutable summer earworm. Foster The People have turned dance music of the 1970s and 1980s in a bid to restore their fortunes with their new album Paradise State Of Mind (pictured: the album artwork) Ray LaMontagne: Long Way Home (Liula) Rating: Ray LaMontagne paved the way for the likes of James Morrison and Paolo Nutini with his 2004 debut Trouble, and sticks to a typically gritty, yet tuneful, template on Long Way Home. Serving as inspiration for the likes of James Morrison and Paolo Nutini, Ray LaMontagne (pictured on Jimmy Kimmel Live) has returned with Long Way Home Assisted by vocal duo The Secret Sisters, he opens with the sweet, soulful Step Into Your Power before dispensing hard-won wisdom on the country-ish I Wouldn’t Change A Thing.
The bright start gives way to mellow introspection, with And They Called Her California laying bare the New Englander’s mixed feelings about the U.S. West Coast.
Share or comment on this article: The Script: Satellites review: Danny rewrites the Script for lost friend, writes ADRIAN THRILLS e-mail Add comment.
