Gerry Cinnamon – Erratic Cinematic Review
If there was one album that could absorb all things Scottish in today’s music scene, it would have to be this. The debut album from Castlemilk born-and-bred boy, Gerry Cinnamon, was released in September 2017, just three years after he became an internet sensation with his pro-independence song “Hope Over Fear” which got him named the “voice of the referendum.” Gerry Cinnamon is an acoustic indie artist from Glasgow with a passion for his home country and all things to do with it, and he doesn’t hide it. His “Caledonia” style of everyday, hometown music has sprung from his bedroom to huge stages all over Scotland, including T in the Park in 2016, the Barrowlands and, most recently, the EH6 festival where he played as a headlining act. This album is a true example of traditional, folk and blues inspired Scottish music.
“Sometimes”
That ringing school bell is enough to take us all right back to our adolescence, marking the beginning of the album. The simple use of just drums and guitars help to focus on the lyrics of self-discovery in this song. The speed of the lyrics in the song is also a reflection of how fast life passes you by. This song perfectly highlights the context of this album, describing how much life can change over time, a lot of the time not for the better. However, relating back to the word “sometimes” gives the song an element of faith for the future and sets the theme of hope which is a recurring theme throughout the album.
“Lullaby”
The introduction of speech in the background of the music is introduced in “Lullaby” with what seems to be a speech about the downfall of society. However, singing over the speech gives an indication of music as a distraction from the reality of the world. This blues inspired song uses a classic blues chord progression and interesting guitar riff and, mixed with Gerry’s vocals overlapping at the chorus, creates an unusual contrast between a lullaby and a blues song. It tells the story of a boy, seemingly, bored with life and looking into the past for something to fulfil himself with the words “sing me a lullaby of days gone by.”
“What Have You Done”
This whole song is written as a “telling-off” to a young boy, perhaps Gerry himself, about how he is wasting his life away. The chilling isolated vocals along with just an acoustic guitar and a harmonica gives a Bob Dylan style to the song. I’m sure a lot of young boys can relate to being called a “dafty” by one of their parents at some point in their childhood. The repetition of the verse gives the impression it is a recurring conversation that is being had, however, this young Glaswegian boy seems to think he has nothing to lose and doesn’t seem to care. This must be very relatable to a lot of people, not just from the same town as the singer, but all over the country and relating to the people surrounding him looks to be something that Gerry achieves very successfully throughout this album.
“Belter”
Again, I can bet that nearly every Scottish boy has felt just like the person in this song before. It is the life of every teenage boy in the country and is about as Scottish as a bowl of Quaker’s Oats with Gerry’s undetachable, smooth voice drizzled throughout each spoonful. The song tells the story of a young boy, stunned by a certain woman that he doesn’t believe he could ever be worthy of (“no happy endings, unless fairytales come true”). The syncopation, as well, shows this particular woman’s off beat personality. Again, “belter” being a Scottish, colloquial word also helps to relate to the people of his home country.
“Fortune Favours the Bold”
This song is probably the simplest and most stripped back from all the songs on the album. The title pretty much tells you it all. It is a rather lonely song, with just Gerry and his guitar, highlighting class differences in society and how happiness and money do not go together in conjunction. In this song, he portrays his views of the rich and upper class and this isn’t the only time in this album he does this. “I’d rather have holes in my shoes than be drowning in gold” gives a clear indication of this. Happiness cannot be bought.
“Erratic Cinematic”
From the beginning, we can see, and hear, that this song is inspired by the silver screen; what is reality and what is fantasy. Whistling is a common concept in Gerry’s songs and, in this particular song, the blend of the whistling and the folk styled acoustic guitar gives a very enchanting, western feel to the song. Along with the harmonies at the chorus, this piece of music is so mysterious, a bit like when you go to see a new film. The numerous movie references throughout along with “just want to go home” implies this person is perhaps lost in their own imagination and can’t seem to find reality. The whistling on its own at the end, again, reflects the feeling of being lost.
“Keysies”
Another song with a Scottish title (are you seeing a theme here), “keysies” being a Glaswegian word for calling truce. This is a very reminiscent song, the whole thing discussing life as a young boy in Glasgow and could all be about one afternoon he spent playing with his friends. The fact that it is just him and one guitar with just one vocal line, and that it is so short, paints the image of this young boy he is describing; young and unexperienced with a lot left to learn.
“Diamonds in the Mud”
This has to be my favourite song from the album. Its “Caledonia” style pays real homage to his hometown and shows the respect he has for the people from there. This song is truly in honour of them. He uses more Scottish language than in any of his other songs such as “wean”, “buckled” and “in the scud.” It is a rather comical song about different people he has met throughout his life in Glasgow. It is very patriotic (“nowhere compares to my hometown. The mayhem of Glasgow is buried deep in my blood”) rather like his independence song “Hope Over Fear”. He is very well known for writing patriotically and this song is the perfect example of this. “No(t) the best place but there’s diamonds in the mud” is beautiful imagery used to show his respects and love for the people of Glasgow and all they mean to him. A really heart-warming song about a community of people who made such an impact on this person’s life.
“War TV”
Starting with another speech (similar to “lullaby” about social issues) “War TV” is a song aimed at the same people he was talking about in “Diamonds in the Mud” but now asking them to stand up against the Government. This song discusses how the rich and upper class rule the rest of society. He talks about how the “suits turn the profit” when war is concerned however they “won’t send their sons.” He is saying that the Government are quick to decide what society owes them and do not think of themselves on the same level. “deep down inside you already know” is stating that he believes society knows that this is wrong and now, a bit like “Hope Over Fear” again, we need to stand up against Government and fight, closing the album with a message of hope for action over Government and the rich, an issue he feels very strongly about.
The album, chronologically, tells the story of a young man’s experiences to becoming his true self and the journey he takes to get there, from wasting his life away doing stupid things (“What Have You Done”) and meeting the girl of his dreams but not having the confidence to do anything about it (“Belter”), to becoming a fully rounded man with views, opinions and the courage to talk about it in “War TV.” This is a beautifully written acoustic based album raising the platform for Scottish Folk music and embracing its traditions as well as blending it with fresh, new ideas within society and is heart-warming in respect to Gerry Cinnamon honouring the people from his hometown who have influenced him most.