A Comfortable Man is the debut studio album by British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Cathal Smyth. It was produced by Charlie Andrew and Kirsty Mangan. The album was first made available in 2014 as a vinyl LP, limited to 1,000 copies and sold during Smyth's three night performance at Wilton's Music Hall.[7][1] It was given a full release by the Phoenix Rising Recording Co. in 2015, reaching No. 68 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 10 on the Independent Albums Chart.[8][9]
Many tracks on A Comfortable Man were written following the breakdown of Smyth's 28-year marriage in 2005. After completing the recording of the album, Smyth departed Madness to embark on his solo career.[10] Speaking of the album to the BBC in 2015, Smyth said: "The cycle of songs started with "Are the Children Happy?" and "Love Song No. 7". It was a very emotional time, it was a very cathartic act writing those songs. I decided I wanted to sit on them for some time to let the dust settle. When you're in Madness and you're writing, it keeps you occupied. It's [was] a very personal project on the sidelines. And I always think timing is essential and when it feels right."[11]
A music video for "You're Not Alone" was released in September 2014.[12] The song was released as a download single in March 2015, followed by "Do You Believe in Love?" and "Are the Children Happy?".[5]
Upon release, Tony Clayton-Lea of The Irish Times stated: "A Comfortable Man is a cathartic exercise. Smyth has taken the opportunity to lay bare his thoughts about personal matters across a sequence of gently wrought, beautifully orchestrated balladic pop songs with rather morose titles."[3]The Times picked A Comfortable Man as their album of the week and commented: "Smyth's simple, honest lyrics and straightforward delivery mean that songs such as "Are the Children Happy?" make a real emotional connection with the listener, while his gift for a pop melody allows for light relief on the upbeat numbers."[14]
Mojo wrote: "...the musical document of his journey is appropriately desolate but altogether rather moving. Essentially it's Smyth playing Victorian parlour piano accompanied by mournful strings and celestial backing vocals."[13]Uncut commented: "The LP springs to life when Smyth ignores the ponderous ballads and hits the pop jugular. "Do You Believe in Love?" and "She's Got the Light" are joyous naif: "Love Song No. 7" tugs effectively at the heart strings, while "Are the Children Happy?" is the most gut wrenchingly poignant divorce song you'll ever hear."[15][16]
^A Comfortable Man (Media notes). Cathal Smyth. Phoenix Rising Recording Co. 2015. TPPRC01CD.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
