Following critical acclaim from their self-titled debut album, there’s a thrilled atmosphere among the fans, everyone seems to be expecting a great gig from Hal. The Dublin guys deliver as promised, their Beach Boys influenced sound uplifting and transforming the Rescue Rooms from a darkened hall into a place of light.

Hal start off quite clinical and polite, but soon loosen up into their songs Play the Hits and Golden Rule. By the time they play Worry About The Wind it’s sheer electricity from the stage and blissful smiles all round.

The brothers Paul and Dave Alan, singer/lead guitar and bass/backing vocals work brilliantly together, exchanging glances when things go right (and equally when things don’t go quite right). Steven Hogan on drums provides sharp clean rhythms to underlie the sumptuous melodies. Keyboards take everything up another notch, with Stephen O’Brian giving his all on the keys. These guys play extremely well together.

Clean-cut musicians rather than bawdy rock stars, Paul smiles cheekily at the crowd, sipping tea from a big blue mug rather than beer throughout the gig. But Hal are about life-affirming positive stuff, in among the pop they sing earnestly about the importance of friendship and love, a welcome antidote to the cynicism and materialism we so often hear, making them very difficult to dislike.

Duke Special, Hal’s support, are eclectic performers who combine beautiful piano with cheese graters and radio static. Their piano-accompanied acoustic version of Joy Divisions ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ is a wonder to behold. Think Ben Folds 5 with emotion, visually think The Cure with a piano, add in a sprinkle of Tom Waits, and you’ve got an exciting band from Ireland.

Hal are off to Europe on the next leg of their tour to what I’m sure will be a warm welcome, and I’m off to the bar to drink something I shouldn’t.

Hal played the Rescue Rooms on Wednesday 28 September 2005

www.halmusic.com

photos by Al Greer