Sean MacLeod shows the persistence of good pop songwriting with the example of a song that glorifies tradition but still has a unique personality, the song is called Romeo. His vocal performance is expressive and malleable, which is the biggest part of the song- there is a personality in his performance which makes what might otherwise easily turn into formulaic content, more memorable and interesting.
The composition itself exhibits the knowledge of MacLeod about the basics of pop. These melodic guitar riffs are instantly catchy, and the drum patterns are groovy and add a sense of urgency that makes the track progress towards its direction. The pop-rock is very friendly and cosy and this makes the song have a very uplifting feeling that does not sink into the saccharine overproduction. MacLeod obviously has sixties influences the Beatles, Beach Boys, Motown etc. but they do not command his strategy; instead, they guide it.
The difference between the work by MacLeod is the depth under the melodic surface. In creating his music, based on the attractive pop forms and fascinating harmonic decisions, his lyrics are often philosophical and spiritual and often hide in the typical pop formats. This is a duality, the accessibility and the substance, the interests of the classical and the avant-garde are fused with the more mainstream sensibilities. It is advanced songwriting without proclaiming its advancedness.
The success of "Romeo" is due to the fact that it does not make any attempts to rediscover the genre. MacLeod knows what he is good at and uses it in the most effective way possible, and the music he produces is perfectly executed and meets its objectives, without being a radical breakthrough. Being a former founding member in the Cisco of Dublin and a solo artist with a long history of releases under his belt, he perfected his style over time. The simplicity here is not imposed but rather unimpeded--evidence that the best art can be done by knowing the basics and doing them with conviction, personality and true warmth.
