Review

The Kissers: Good Fight

Leave a comment

I would wager that The Kissers have played every pub, club and toilet in the US at least twice in the last twelve months, or so it seems from their touring schedule. The hard work though has really paid off on their latest CD; “Good Fight”. “Good Fight” is easily the bands best release and that’s not a knock to their last release “Fire in the Belly” which is a fine CD in its own right. But on “Good Fight” the band really have their shit together – great playing, super tight and ultimately great songs.  The Kissers started off as a Pogues cover band and yeah the Pogues influence is still strong but now they are also swigging from the same whiskey bottle as Johnny Cash (and maybe Jeff Damiler –  I guess that’s a Wisconsin thing but these guys can be dark, very dark.) It’s hard to pick highlights cos’ their all highlights but if someone put a gun to my head it would be; the rockin’ opener “What they can”, the redneck version of “Mursheen Durkin”, the gospel rocker, “Kicked in the head” and an anti-war song that would get GWB moshing.

August 2005

http://www.thekissers.com
Review

In Arcadia: If it bleeds, can we kill it?

Leave a comment

‘If it bleeds, we can kill it’ is the first full-length CD by Detroit based In Arcadia. Nine tracks of brutally powerful, yet melodic hardcore – screaming vocal, trashy metallic riffs with just a touch of alternative/ indie music – clocking it at just over half-an-hour. Not really my cupp’a, but if Hardcore is your thing then go for it.

August 2005

Review

Ceann: Almost Irish

Leave a comment

Somewhere high in the Himalayas sits a a might mountain peak capped in empty Guinness cans and bottles of Paddy and on top (stay with me I was just watching Batman Begins) sits the great sage, CEANN. Despensing wisdom through song to all those who seek it.

Seeker: Oh might CEANN what will happen if I drink green beer?

CEANN: Green beer makes your weiner shrink and your poop turn green.

Seeker: Is Bud a great beer?

CEANN: That shit ain’t no good. Pabst Blue Ribbon is the beer.

Seeker: What can I do to get a girl?

CEANN: Tighter pants and stronger beer.

Seeker: Why do Americans play Irish Music? What do you think of Colin Farrell? What will my butt tattoo like when I’m 80?

And so on……..funny shit

I could go on but the bands lawyer treatened to sue me if I published anymore of their material.

Oh, and the music? Strong contempary Irish-American folk. Black 47’s/Seanchai’s Chris Byrne guests of Uilleann pipes. 

August 2005

Review

Siobhan: Welfare State

Leave a comment

Welfare State just scraped into the Shite’n’Onions 2004 top 10 CD’s of the year at number 10, and that was only after 2 listens at that point. If I had a chance to give it a real blast it would have been higher, much higher and since I set the rules and compile the list, I think I’m going to include it in 2005 list as well. Siobhan have come a long way since recording McGravy’s Iron Liver” in a basement with a single microphone and a Casio keyboard, and while that was good and their first full length, “The Patron Saints of Debauchery” was better, “Welfare State” is fantastic. Occupying a musical middle ground between The Pogues and Flogging Molly – high energy whiskey and vodka inspired Celt-Punk with a few familiar melodies. Not a bad track insight but particular standouts include; “Jakeys gone to Germany”(about touring with Neck), the re-recorded very maniac “Celtbot” and “Straight from hell”. Very highly recomended

February 2005

Review

Piirpauke: Piirpauke

Leave a comment

Long before such eclectic artists like Boiled in Lead and Reptile Palace Orchestra tantalized discerning listeners with their unique brand of rock-driven ethno-fusion, and even before Brave Combo was recognized as leading purveyors of offbeat world music, there existed a little known band from Finland. Piirpauke was formed in the early seventies and continues to this day. They specialize in combining folk melodies from throughout Europe and the Mid East with Latin rhythms, a rock beat and a free-jazz mindset. The jazz element does dominate some of the earlier recordings as leader Sakari Kukko hails from a jazz background, however, as this band progressed so did their musical influences and performance style. If that’s problematic for you but this description intrigues you, try their mid eighties period as a starting point. Albums like THE WILD EAST and particularly ALGAZARA are loaded with diverse sounds like the Romanian “Turceasca,” the beautiful Finnish traditional piece “Kantele” and their rendition of Wolfgang Mozart’s “Rondo a la Turca.” Indeed, Piirpauke creates compelling music for discriminating tastes.

February 2005

Dave Sleger

Review

Ronan O’Snodaigh: Tonnta Ro’

Leave a comment

The second solo offering from Kila lead singer Ronan O’Snodaigh differs vastly from his 2001 debut TIP TOE. That album was resplendent in its swirling and rich melodies. While rhythm is always key to O’Snodaigh’s music, it wasn’t the driving force of TIP TOE. This album, however, is a rhythmic affair with virtually no lasting melodies to speak of. O’Snodaigh’s passionate yet monotonous vocals coupled with his percussive accompaniment create an omnipresent and droning rhythm that is inspirational and tiresome all at once. The fact that this album was sung entirely in Irish Gaelic (TIP TOE was sung in English) adds to the mystery and complexity of this recording. This is clearly an acquired taste that could either leave the listener begging for more or refusing to finish the serving on his plate.

February 2005

Dave Sleger

Review

Lecker Sachen: Universum d’Amour

Leave a comment

The third release by this German outfit reveals some of the most innovative advances in modern Celtic music. Combining the pop and hip-hop foundation of their first album and the sophisticated acoustic arrangements of RAUS, their second effort, UNIVERSUM is the logical next step for front man Markus Brachtendorf. Sung exclusively in German, Lecker Sachen rivals the sampling and techno efforts of such groundreaking Celtic artists as Tartan Amoebas, Paul Mounsey, Shooglenifty and Slainte Mhath. And as is the case with those bands, Lecker Sachen shines when they allow the folk instruments like banjo, fiddle and wood flute to be heard above the programming. The non-German speaking among us may gravitate toward instrumentals like “Schnelle Melodie” and “Fabrik Melancholique,” two outstanding selections driven impeccably by their inherent folk melodies but accentuated creatively by peculiar rhythms and effects and boldly supplemented by the neo-classicist Gangsta String Trio. An exceptionally artistic effort, this album provides mood music for both the background and foreground in an unconventional yet appealing manner.

February 2005

Dave Sleger

Review

Los Langeros: Very Interesting

Leave a comment

Now for something from way out in left field. Los Langeros are from Cork, Ireland and they play quite possibly the most intense country music ever put to disk – it’s punk, trash and Hank feckin Williams. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah… very interesting CD. Curious, go to http://www.unsignedireland.com/artists/loslangeros.htm and listen to some mp3’s.

February 2005

Review

Blood or Whiskey: Cashed Out On Culture

Leave a comment

So finally we have the new, much anticipated CD from Blood or Whiskey. The first without original vocalist Barney Murray, and actually it’s pretty much an entire new line up since “No Time to Explain”. Only guitarist and now vocalist Dug’s and drummer Chris O’Mara survive.

So what’s it like? Musically it’s still the familiar Trad-Punk of before just punkier, way more punkier, but old time fans will recognize the sound as distinctively Blood or Whiskeys. Dug’s does a reasonable job on vocals though he’s no Barney Murray (for those who heard the promo CD from last year, the vocals are much improved.) The attitude is still Fuck you. And the songs? When the songs are good on” Cashed Out On Culture” they are very good-the Ska tinged “Poxy Pub”, “Glory O”, “Jar’D fror Life”, “Impaired Vision” and “Ruler, Ruler” to name a few–and Blood or Whiskey are top of the game. When the songs are not, they are just average

February 2005

http://www.bloodorwiskey.ie/
Review

Antichrisis: A Legacy of Love Mark II

Leave a comment

In an odd move Antichrisis has re-recorded their 1998 artistic breakthrough A LEGACY OF LOVE in its entirety on a new record label, Reartone Records. I’m not exactly sure why this was necessary as this final product isn’t measurably different from the original. But if it generates buzz and attention to this erstwhile overlooked gem perhaps it is justified. Antichrisis is somewhat of an anomaly as they combine progressive metal with Celtic-rock in a highly theatrical yet melancholy manner. The attentive listener might conclude that this album is more cohesive and consistent than the original. I try to convince myself that this mix is superior and the rearranged tracklist makes for better continuity but I’m not really sure. There is one new track called “End of December” that (in a real stretch) might remind listeners of Black 47. In any event this is a fine recording that deserves to be heard again. Hopefully this strategy will pay off for Antichrisis.

February 2005

Dave Sleger

Potato-eating, Whiskey-drinking, Bog-trotting, CELTIC PUNK ROCK