So I get back from my trip and I finally get my filthy paws on the Hercules and Love Affair EP. Oh lordy, it’s funktastic. I was a bit apprehensive at first when I heard Antony Hegarty would be doing a lot of the vocals. His voice is unquestionably unique but at times it can be grating and once in a while reminds me of a half dead dog moaning. However to the right sound and situation it can be perfect and chillingly haunting or dare I say it romantic. But the idea of putting Antony with some funk/disco sounded like putting stew on your cheesecake or something, I don’t know. It just doesn’t feel like it would work. Strangely with Hercules and Love Affair it does.

The EP is great. It has that sun setting on a tropical island feel. It is not time to get into your groove but the funk and disco beats will get your hips moving and be the perfect exercise and preparation for more gyrating later on in a night. It’s a funny little record in style, substance and tempo. The meshing of Antony’s voice to the calypso dance of Blind is em, strange? You Belong sounds like something you would have heard in the Hacienda at its height while the rest of the album skirts close to Studio 54 disco. Strangely my mother likes it, which threw me off a bit and I think that is the beauty of it. It IS strange in some respects but an admirable mix of the best funky sounds of the last thirty years.

Stew on a cheesecake? Or some poutine?

Talking about strange mixes. In Montreal I was lucky (or unfortunate depending on your taste) to try their ‘delicacy” of poutine. Now this is a weird mix and I would love to know where the idea came about and what twisted genius thought of it. I am guessing that a certain intoxicating amount of alcohol was involved.

Poutine is made of three ingredients-chips, gravy and cheese. That may test some of you guys’ gag reflex but don’t diss it until you try it. I think I could make a lot of money out of it on Dame Street at 3a.m on a Saturday and Sunday night as the heaving mass of drunken zombies lurch out of the bars and clubs ravenous for a kebab or chips. Almost anything at that state of inebriation will be considered delicious. If you feel rank the next day IT WAS THE DRINK RIIIIII?!?!!

Conor O'Neill is a winetaster and former Buenos Airen, studying History and Politics in Trinity.
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