Alternative rock duo The Tempted release their new 13 track album Passions and Misdemeanours taking listeners on a thrilling journey through a genre-defying soundscape that blends alternative rock, blues, and synth-pop influences.
Mixed across two continents, Passions & Misdemeanours, was recorded and crafted with care, with tracks mixed by Gunnar Smari Helgason in Iceland and Ross Owen Campbell in the United States. The album is mastered in New York by Campbell, offering a polished yet raw sound that showcases the band’s trademark artistry.
The Tempted, consisting of founding members Brian Callaghan and Michael McDonagh, first came together in 1990. Over the next few years, Callaghan wrote over 20 songs, many of which were recorded in a small home studio using a mix of tape and early digital recording technology. Their early demos, created with the help of fellow musicians Ross Campbell and Shug Brankin, were recorded in Glasgow.
By 2021, both Brian and Michael had each released solo albums but never lost their belief in their early work. Together, they began reworking their old songs, blending their collective musical growth and refining their sound. Two years later, Passions & Misdemeanours, was born—thirteen tracks that showcase their evolving creativity and deep-rooted passion for music.
Brian Callaghan and Michael McDonagh have poured years of dedication, experience, and musical evolution into this long-awaited release. Passions & Misdemeanours, is a testament to their enduring connection and a triumph of their artistic vision.
Shug Brankin, provided the powerful basslines that underpin much of the album, adding depth and dimension to the tracks. Mick MacNeil, the former Simple Minds keyboardist, contributes his unique touch to the record, while disco diva Mary Kiani brings her iconic vocal style to select tracks.
For fans of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Foo Fighters, and Matchbox 20, Passions & Misdemeanours, brings an expansive blend of alternative rock with edgy blues influences and occasional synth-pop flavor. The album nods to the sounds of 1980s icons like Tears for Fears and Elbow, with a particular homage to the legendary Simple Minds.
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