Is There Anyone Out There by Jody McStravick: A Forgotten Gem That Still Packs a Punch
Alright, let’s cut the crap—this album ain’t perfect, but damn if it doesn’t leave a mark. Released in ‘82 on Lunar Records (yep, Irish through and through), Is There Anyone Out There is one of those rare finds that feels like stumbling across an old vinyl at a flea market. You know, the kind where you’re like, “What even IS this?” before realizing… holy hell, this slaps harder than half the polished garbage we get today.
Jody McStravick brings some serious Folk/Pop vibes here, with just enough World/Country sprinkled in to keep things unpredictable. And yeah, it’s vocal-heavy—you can tell she means every word she sings. It’s raw, unfiltered emotion without all the bells and whistles modern producers shove down our throats. Two producers split duties here: Bill Whelan handling side A and Shay Healy taking over side B. Honestly? You can hear the difference between tracks, but weirdly, that makes the whole thing more interesting. Like flipping sides of the same person’s brain.
Now, onto the tracks. First up—"Is There Anyone Out There." Holy moly, does this song grab you by the throat or what? It opens with these haunting vocals that make you feel like you're standing alone in a field somewhere outside Dublin, questioning your life choices. The lyrics are simple yet brutal—they hit hard because they don’t try too hard. By the time the chorus kicks in, you’re already hooked. This isn’t background music; it demands your attention. Screw whatever else you were doing when this comes on—it’s gonna own your soul for those three minutes.
Then there’s “She Is Mine.” Oh man, this track hits different. If “Is There Anyone Out There” punches you in the gut, this one sneaks up behind you and whispers sweet nothings until you forget how to breathe. It’s softer, sure, but don’t mistake soft for weak. There’s power in restraint, and Jody nails it here. Her voice cracks just enough to remind you she’s human—not some auto-tuned robot singing about fake love. This one sticks with you long after the needle lifts off the record.
So why should anyone care about this 40-year-old relic from Ireland? Because sometimes the best stuff gets lost in the shuffle. In a world drowning in overproduced beats and lazy songwriting, Is There Anyone Out There feels refreshingly real. Sure, it’s rough around the edges, but maybe that’s the point. Maybe we need albums like this to remind us that music doesn’t have to be shiny to shine.
And hey, fun fact: Bill Whelan—the guy who produced part of this album—went on to create Riverdance. So next time someone tries to act like this album’s obscure, throw THAT little nugget at ‘em.
Final thought? Life’s short. Listen to something that matters.
