Raw yet refined, raucous yet emotional, following two EPs, a stirring, boisterous melodic debut LP by the Falkirk band, who bring a strong, Scottish flavour to the folk-punk style and energy reminiscent of the Pogues, but also sounds reminiscent of the indie jangled guitars of Teenage Fanclub, Stone Roses and The Smiths. Keeping also the sounds of Celtic roots music, alongside guitar, bass and drums, come accordion, banjo, bouzouki, mandolin, and broad accent of charismatic vocalist Daniel Harkins. The opener and title track launches instantly into that Pogues wild energy with scenes from a local boozer in which old regular drinkers lose themselves in the news and the booze - “It’s the Tuesday Paper Club, they scrub up no too bad / The luscious nectar wets their throat as they scorn the local lads / The only time the papers down is to give the tache a soak / No time for the ladies or Diet Coke but don’t mind an occasional smoke.” Vicar Street Days morphs into the janglier guitar style, and also captures, with fond memories, a local pub scene, while there’s even more Teenage Fanclub flavour so on the lovely catchily wistful, Friday On My Mind. Continuing in that vein, Turn And Walk Away is Celtic rootsy indie guitar love song with a self-deprecatory warning: “If you knew who I really was, you’d turn and walk away”. There are also several gentler moments on the album, such as the beautiful Scarlet Red, a tender number with intimate humour: “I’d let you pick out all my clothes forever / I’d even let you blow my nose … I’ll never find a better pal than you.” The album was recorded at Black Bay Studio on the Isle of Lewis, where they invited local singer-songwriter Josie Duncan on the beautiful, acoustic, Go Home Tae Yer Bed, sung by Aidan Callaghan, and leads wonderfully into the final track the instrumental Lonesome Boatman, with tin whistle and and galloping rhythm as if some Celtic western riding into the sunset. An album that begins with riotous pub energy slips into gentler, more elegiac beauty, then back into foot stomper fun, they are a fabulous band both live and in the studio with an excellent debut mixing tradition with style - wit, folk-punk and indie-rock swagger. Out on Play It Again Sam.
Brògeal
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