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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.[4][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.[5][6]

A Comfortable Man
Studio album by Cathal Smyth
Released	7 October 2014 (limited LP release)[1] 11 May 2015[2]
Genre	Pop[3]
Length	46:10
Label	Phoenix Rising Recording Co.
Producer	Charlie Andrew, Kirsty Mangan

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.[7] 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."[8]

A music video for "You're Not Alone" was released in September 2014.[9] The song was released as a download single in March 2015, followed by "Do You Believe in Love?" and "Are the Children Happy?".[10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
The Irish Times	[3]
Mojo	[11]
The Times	positive[12]
Uncut	[13]

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."[12]

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."[11] 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."[13][14]

Track listing

Charts

Chart (2015)	Peak position
UK Independent Albums Breakers Chart[15]	1
UK Independent Albums Chart[6]	10
UK Albums Chart[5]	68

Personnel

• Cathal Smyth – vocals, backing vocals

Production

• Charlie Andrew - producer, arranger, recording
• Kirsty Mangan - producer, arranger
• Alan Winstanley - mixing

References

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