LOCAL HONEY
On his third solo outing, the former frontman of The Gaslight Anthem appears to have shaken off the hangover of his erstwhile New Jersey outfit to emerge with eight deeply personal and powerful tracks. There is an understated vulnerability throughout Local Honey, which had not necessarily been so openly exposed on Fallon’s previous releases. From the tenderness of opener When You’re Ready to the concluding reflective personal pen letter of You Have Stolen My Heart, there is a lo-fiquality to this diary of love songs. Fallon wears his heart on his tattooed sleeve, and Local Honey will satisfy both die-hard and casual fans alike. However, having shed the full-band vibe, you do walk away feeling you’ve finally met the ‘real’ Brian Fallon on one of the most humble and honest records you’re likely to hear this year.