Review

The Go Set: a Song of Revolution

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I hate the phrase “kick ass” but it’s the only description that fits The Go Set. ‘Sing a Song of Revolution’ not only kicks some serious ass, it kicks butt and arse and whatever they call ass/butt/arse in Australia. Take classic Bon Scott era AC/DC, the celt-ism and social conscience of Roaring Jack and the bagpipe punk fury of The Real McKenzies along with 20 cans of Fosters and you’ll get an idea of what The Go Set sound like. “Sing a Song…”, was recorded two days so it’s raw, loud and powerful. Recommended to those who like their guitars turned to 11 and the bagpipes turned to 12.

July 2004

Review

Warblefly: Crashing Through the Trees

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Although their third release, this is my introduction to this British folk-rock band. For someone who’s written almost exclusively about folk-rock on the world stage for the past several years, I must admit to being pleased to have finally heard this band, while at the same time, chagrinned for having not heard them sooner. Warblefly shoots out of the starter blocks in fine form with “Folk Ruts,” an alternative rocker in classic Levellers style with aggressive rhythm and melody-driven fiddle. “New York Gals” is a more guttural, punkish piece barely resembling my first exposure to that song – Steeleye Span’s 1975 version from COMMONER’S CROWN. “Devil in the Kitchen” is a deliberate instrumental very British sounding while “Going Home” incorporates a “down home” bluegrass or mountain style. “When the Rain Came” again recalls the Levellers but don’t let those two Levellers references give you the idea that Warblefly is purposely patterning themselves after that classic Brighton-based band. With their mix of British folk and punk flavored with occasional American folk stylings, and their attention given to the instrumental passages, Warblefly are true originals. Politics notwithstanding, “The Ballad of Ali Abbas” is the highlight of this album, with its rapid-fire rhythm and vocals coupled with an incredible melody and juxtaposition of electric guitar and folk instruments. It wasn’t until after several listens that I realized that I didn’t even agree with the sentiment of the song, but I didn’t care because it’s such a great piece.

July 2004

Review By Dave Sleger

Review

Aiden Crossey: Where Old Ghosts Meet

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I’m a little embarrassed here; I’ve been sitting on “Where Old Ghosts Meet” for almost 6 months. Why? Because I felt I didn’t have the depth or knowledge of pure traditional Irish music to write a proper review. Sure I can fake it with a ballad group but with a collection of the purest Jigs and Reels (and the occasional Song and Waltz) I’m stuck, and the sad thing is I had every opportunity to be exposed to some of the best trad music around (many of the teachers in my school were serious players and people like banjo player, Eamon Coyne (http://www.eamonncoyne.com/) were a few years ahead of me) but of course I was more interested in Iron Maiden and the like.

Aiden Crossey is a former Belfast punk from back in the day and now a long time London resident – a former member of one of Neck’s early line up’s. “Where Old Ghosts Meet” is sixteen tracks of serious traditional Jigs and Reels broken up by poems and songs. Now if you’ve just discovered Irish music through Flogging Molly or Dropkick Murphys and you’d like to explore it more then I’d recommend you check out greatest hits packages by either the Clancy’s or The Dubliners but if you really want to explore the richness of pure traditional music you won’t go wrong with “Where Old Ghosts Meet” (and it’s all done with a punk D.I.Y. spirit.)

July 2004

Review

Will Dailey: Goodbye Red Bullet

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Will Dailey is a multi talented young guy – singer, songwriter, producer and label owner. Everything about Goodbuybullet is very well done; very polished. Imagine a young-non-grumpy Van Morrison or a cool Dave Matthews (wasn’t the Dave Matthews shit spraying story great though.) The kind of CD you can use to impress your girlfriend and still not feel like a sap.

July 2004

Review

Bates Motel: Caffatine

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I love Cornwall’s Bates Motel, they are one of those bands that its impossible to put into a box. A sort of post-Nirvana version of the Levellers crossed with Thin Lizzy. Probably the only band that can pull off playing both Metal and Folk festivals. Caffatine is Bates best release to date, with must hear tracks like “Shine?”, “Wounded Knee”, “Radical Point of View” and the masterful “never say never again.”

July 2004

Review

Flogging Molly: Within a Mile From Home

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Just like previous Flogging Molly releases, “Within A Mile From Home” grabs you by the bollocks, picks you up off the ground, and slams you hard against the wall with a sonic blast of fury that only those Molly Malone floggers could produce. Yes indeed, the latest FM release is here, and i’m already black & blue from the bruises. I’m sure you already know, but the first time you hear these guys, your jaw will drop, and your head will explode. That first listen is simply too much for the body to handle. You just have to buck up, and soak it in. It takes a few listening sessions just to describe them. “Within A Mile From Home” is no different than any other FM album. It does not disappoint. It WILL kick your ass, and you will love it.

“Within A Mile From Home” contains 15 tracks that in this reviewers opinion should be played from start to finish with no interruptions, and no excuses. You’ll enter the audio journey with determination, and you’ll exit with a sense of satisfaction only a handful of albums can deliver.”Within A Mile Of Home” is one of those albums. From the first track, “Screaming At A Wailing Wall”, to the final effort, “Don’t Let Me Die Still Wondering” It’s all there. From the euphoric laughter, to the bitter tears, and from the doubt, to the the unconditional love, that only the beauty of life can bring. Lead singer, Dave King, still has that desperation in his lyrics & his voice, but just not as raw and vulnerable as they were on the first album “Swagger”. These lyrics are fine tuned, and more calculated. Obviously, they were written by a proud soul who has seen the peaks, and the valleys of life, and doesn’t mind telling you about it.

Musically, Flogging Molly have grown since the last release. (Am I hearing Cajun and a little Appalachian in the mix?) They are still as tight as a broke Scotsman during tax season, and still as diverse as a refugee ship arriving at Ellis Island in the 19th century. Speaking of ships, nautical fans will enjoy tracks such as the pirate anthem, “The Seven Deadly Sins”, and “Queen Anne’s Revenge” with Nathen Maxwell (bass) up front with the vocals. There’s the ballads such as the tearful track, “The Spoken Wheel”, or “Whistles The Wind”, that’s sure to have you signing along with the chorus. I should also mention the kick ass track “To Youth (My Sweet Roisin Dubh)” that was previously released on the latest Warped Tour 2004 Compilation. Then you’ve got yourself a duet on “Factory Girls” with Lucinda Williams sharing the microphone.

All in all, you can never tell people what the standout tracks are on a Flogging Molly album. Certain tracks affect people in different ways, but one things for sure, there’s always something for everyone on FM albums. (which can explain the crowds at their live shows.) Speaking of shows, I’m looking forward to the upcoming tour. I’m looking forward to sharing the Devil’s Dance Floor with fellow Flogging Molly fans from every walk of life. I’m looking forward to picking you up off the floor, only to have you return the favor. I’m looking forward to packing a pub full of chanting Flogging Molly fans. I’m looking forward sharing an evening with an amazing band that continues to amaze me with a new release every couple of years, and maybe that’s the riddle. To simply look forward to the next time Flogging Molly will grab you by the bollocks, pick you off the ground, and slam you hard against the wall with a sonic blast of fury that only Flogging Molly could produce. We’ve all felt it right? or is it just me? Hell, I dunno, what do I know? Cheers to ya!

Track listing:
Light of a Fading Star
Tobacco Island
The Wrong Company
Tomorrow Comes a Day to Soon
Queen Annes Revenge
The Wanderlust
Within a Mile of Home
The Spoken Wheel
With a Wonder and a Wild Desire
Don’t Let Me Die Still Wonderin’

July 2004

Review By “Barnacle” Brian Gillespie

Review

The Peelers: Liquordale

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Somewhere on this Web site is a review of the first show where I ever saw the Peelers at the Celtic Ray in Punta Gorda. My only criticism of the band at the time was that they had a dearth of original material — their debut CD “Boots and Suits” contained only one original song. With their new CD “Liquordale” featuring 11 songs, including eight new originals, that’s less of a problem now.

“Liquordale” is in many ways the band’s real debut CD, and it’s a very good one. Starting with the slow ballad “Sweet Mary of the Bog” and seamlessly slipping into the much faster “The Glen Will Rise Again” and “Katie, Bar The Door”, you can see what the boys from Glengarry County are capable of. If you wanted to see how the band has grown musically, you could compare the version of “Meet You At The Bottom of a Bottle” on this release with that on “Boots and Suits”. It’s the same song (obviously), but is a richer sound.

The songwriting is very good too — one complaint of mine about some bands in the Celtic punk/rock genre, even some bands I enjoy. A previous review of “Boots and Suits” on this site said that the Peelers were a band to keep an eye on. Their new CD puts a little more urgency to that suggestion.

July 2004

Review by Rob “Hurricanes suck ass” Shore

Review

Street Dogs / The Dents: Split CD/7”

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Abbey Lounge Records is a spin off label of The Abbey Lounge, a dive venue in Somerville, MA that helped launch Street Dogs. Street Dogs contribute 2 tacks, “Savin Hill”, which in my opinion is an absolute punk classic (if punk can be classic that is) and the previously unreleased “One of a kind”, which is good. Female fronted The Dents provide the other 2 tracks of high energy punk’n’roll.

March 2004

Review

Jackdaw: Jackdaw

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You might remember a live review I did of Jackdaw a few months back, where basically I said I had heard them on CD, wasn’t that impressed and moved on. Live, Jackdaw kicked my ass big time so now it’s time to give the CD another spin and another listen. Two spins and I’m impressed, four and I’m hooked. This thing is as infectious as a hooker with SARS. Jackdaw play Stones, Who and especially early AC/DC (I’m talking about “High Voltage” and “Dirty Deeds”) inspired rock’n’roll and combine it with fiddle and Bagpipes and the lyrical imagery of the gritty, working class Irish-American enclave of South Buffalo, NY. Outstanding tracks include – Molly, Billy Brown, Hogjaw and Patrick Pearse’s – Mise Erie (I am Ireland.) An excellent CD and a still better live show if you get the chance.

March 2004

Review

Daghdha: Start of the Mile -Demo

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I wasn’t expecting much from this demo, judging the book by the cover – home made sleeve, CDR disk and pictures of a bunch of very young looking guys. So when I finally slapped the disk into my CD player and hit play, I was very pleasantly surprised. “Start of the Mile” is top notch straight ahead no frills Celtic-Punk, very reminiscent the classic St. Bushmill’s Choir EP from a few years ago – you know the sound; The Clash playing the Pogues, check out the cover of “London Calling”- good stuff – Joe Strummer would have been proud.

March 2004

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