Big Bad Beautiful World by Declan O'rourke - Uhune

ALBUM Explicit

Declan O'Rourke's debut album, Since Kyabram, documented the songwriter's mixed upbringing between Ireland and Australia, marrying modern Irish folk with commercial rock music the same way Bruce Springsteen did with the Appalachian variety. With his second record (since Since Kyabram, so to speak), Big Bad Beautiful World, O'Rourke steers his music in a more consciously epic direction, placing strings (courtesy of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra) and wistful keyboards where brash electric guitars may once have been. The lead single and title track, "Big Bad Beautiful World," opens the album on a positive note with bright acoustic guitars and a gradually unfolding full-band arrangement. "Save Your Soul" has parallels with Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" as well as countryman Kieran Goss, while dynamic standout "Whatever Else Happens" best showcases the detached yet oddly inviting vocal style that remains the album's most defining feature. "Man of Peace" and "One Day in War" make subtle criticism of silly things like war, the former opening with the arresting line "He needed someone so God chose me to reveal some of his most precious secrets," while the latter uses a chorus of snare rolls and flutes to evoke the cheery idealism of armed conflict. However, for all its theatrical flair, Big Bad Beautiful World is just a little too safe, rarely going out on a limb melodically or thematically, and fails to truly distinguish itself as a result.
© Dave Donnelly /TiVo

1. Big Bad Beautiful World

by Declan O'rourke

Acoustic Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Composer: Gareth Maher
Declan O'rourke; Composer
Bass Guitar: Aongus Ralston; Performer
Bass Guitar: Aongus Ralston; Performer
Drums: Jason Duffy; Performer
Electric Guitar: Declan O'rourke
Jack Maher; Performer
Percussion: Jason Duffy; Performer
Strings: Rte Concert Orchestra; Performer
Vocals: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Orchestral Arrangement: Brian Byrne
Declan O’rourke; Composer
Conductor: Gavin Moloney; Conductor
Mastering Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Producer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Primary Artist: Declan O'rourke; Main Performer
Programmer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Celeste Piano: Graham Henderson; Other
Recording: Kieran Lynch
Richard Mccullough; Production

2. Save Your Soul

by Declan O'rourke

Acoustic Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Background Vocals: Jack Maher; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Bass Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Composer: Declan O'rourke; Composer
Bass Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Drums: Jason Duffy; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jack Maher
Declan O'rourke; Performer
Piano: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Vocals: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Programmer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Recording: Kieran Lynch; Production
Primary Artist: Declan O'rourke; Main Performer
Producer: Declan O'rourke; Production

3. Make Something

by Declan O'rourke

Primary Artist: Declan O'rourke; Main Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Bass Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Bass Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Drums: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Electric Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Piano: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Vocals: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Composer: Declan O'rourke; Composer
Mixing Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Producer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Programmer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Recording: Declan O'rourke
Kieran Lynch; Production

4. Whatever Else Happens

by Declan O'rourke

Acoustic Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Bass Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Drums: Jason Duffy; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jack Maher; Performer
Percussion: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Conductor: Gavin Moloney; Conductor
Mastering Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Piano: Declan O'rourke
Graham Henderson; Performer
Composer: Declan O'rourke; Composer
Orchestral Arrangement: Brian Byrne; Composer
Soloist: Maria Mason; Main Performer
Strings: Rte Concert Orchestra; Performer
Vocals: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Producer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Programmer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Primary Artist: Declan O'rourke; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Recording: Kieran Lynch
Richard Mccullough; Production

5. Man of Peace

by Declan O'rourke

Composer: Declan O'rourke; Composer
Acoustic Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Bass Guitar: Aongus Ralston; Performer
Bass Guitar: Aongus Ralston; Performer
Drums: Jason Duffy; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jack Maher; Performer
Percussion: Jason Duffy; Performer
Orchestral Arrangement: Declan O'rourke
Brian Byrne; Composer
Conductor: Gavin Moloney; Conductor
Mastering Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Piano: Graham Henderson; Performer
Primary Artist: Declan O'rourke; Main Performer
Strings: Rte Concert Orchestra; Performer
Vocals: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Producer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Programmer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Recording: Kieran Lynch
Richard Mccullough; Production

6. Just 2 be Friends

by Declan O'rourke

Acoustic Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Background Vocals: Jack Maher; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Bass Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Bass Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Composer: Declan O'rourke; Composer
Drums: Jason Duffy; Performer
Electric Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Harmonica: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Piano: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Vocals: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Programmer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Recording: Kieran Lynch; Production
Primary Artist: Declan O'rourke; Main Performer
Producer: Declan O'rourke; Production

7. One Day in a War

by Declan O'rourke

Acoustic Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Composer: Declan O'rourke; Composer
Background Vocals: Jack Maher; Performer
Drums: Jason Duffy; Performer
Flute: Alan Doherty; Performer
Piano: Graham Henderson; Performer
Violin: Chris Herzberger; Performer
Vocals: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Whistle: Alan Doherty; Performer
Primary Artist: Declan O'rourke; Main Performer
Producer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Programmer: Declan O'rourke; Production
E-bow Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Other
Recording: Kieran Lynch; Production
E-bow Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Other

8. Being Your Friend

by Declan O'rourke

Composer: Declan O'rourke; Composer
Acoustic Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Background Vocals: Jack Maher; Performer
Bass Guitar: Aongus Ralston; Performer
Bass Guitar: Aongus Ralston; Performer
Drums: Jason Duffy; Performer
Electric Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Percussion: Jason Duffy; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Piano: Graham Henderson; Performer
Primary Artist: Declan O'rourke; Main Performer
Vocals: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Producer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Programmer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Recording: Kieran Lynch; Production

9. A Song on Love and Hate

by Declan O'rourke

Acoustic Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Composer: Declan O'rourke; Composer
Bass Guitar: Aongus Ralston; Performer
Bass Guitar: Aongus Ralston; Performer
Drums: Jason Duffy; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jack Maher; Performer
Orchestral Arrangement: Brian Byrne
Declan O'rourke; Composer
Conductor: Gavin Moloney; Conductor
Mastering Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Piano: Graham Henderson; Performer
Primary Artist: Declan O'rourke; Main Performer
Strings: Rte Concert Orchestra; Performer
Vocals: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Producer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Programmer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Recording: Kieran Lynch
Richard Mccullough; Production

10. Stay in Sight

by Declan O'rourke

Acoustic Guitar: Jack Maher; Performer
Composer: Declan O'rourke; Composer
Bass Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Bass Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Drums: Jason Duffy; Performer
Electric Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Orchestral Arrangement: Brian Byrne; Composer
Conductor: Gavin Moloney; Conductor
Mastering Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Piano: Graham Henderson; Performer
Strings: Rte Concert Orchestra; Performer
Primary Artist: Declan O'rourke; Main Performer
Vocals: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Producer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Programmer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Recording: Kieran Lynch
Richard Mccullough; Production

11. Silly Days

by Declan O'rourke

Acoustic Guitar: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Primary Artist: Declan O'rourke; Main Performer
Strings: Rte Concert Orchestra; Performer
Vocals: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Composer: Declan O'rourke; Composer
Orchestral Arrangement: Declan O'rourke
Brian Byrne; Composer
Conductor: Gavin Moloney; Conductor
Mastering Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Producer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Programmer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Recording: Richard Mccullough
Kieran Lynch; Production

12. Twinkle Twinkle

by Declan O'rourke

Vocals: Declan O'rourke; Performer
Primary Artist: Declan O'rourke; Main Performer
Composer: Jane Taylor
Ann Taylor; Composer
Strings: Rte Concert Orchestra; Performer
Orchestral Arrangement: Brian Byrne
Declan O'rourke; Composer
Conductor: Gavin Moloney; Conductor
Mastering Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tim Martin; Production
Producer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Programmer: Declan O'rourke; Production
Recording: Kieran Lynch
Richard Mccullough; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

12 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

48 minutes and 0 seconds

Explicit

Containing curse words, language, or art that is sexually, violently, or offensively oriented.

Coverart

Available and up to 1500x1500 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

Only 1/12 tracks has lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

Only 1/12 tracks has synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Singer & Songwriter, Singer-Songwriter

Label

East West Records

Music Distribution Service

Warner

Country

Ireland

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Dec 31, 2006

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

190295059699