"First" Impressions Reviewer: Beth Eaton I first heard Brendan O'Donnell at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, MA. He opened for Freedy Johnston, but I could have listened to him all night. I was completely caught off guard by this powerful, emotional music -with intelligent lyrics & amazing live musicians. I immediately purchased his album, FIRST, from which most of his live material came. It is now in my regular rotation at home & in the car. Brendan is like an Irish Dave Matthews with a more "aggressive" stance. This album, a good mix of ballads, uplifting beats, grabbed me with the song "Break" - a tale of love & obsession, & what we all think we would do for love. If you like pop rhythms, intelligent lyrics, tales of love & loss, and some damn fantastic fiddle playing with a D.M.B. influence, then grab this CD before this guy gets really famous. And catch a live performance any time you can!