The Dunn Boys - Volume 1

The Dunn Boys - Volume 1
2011, The Dunn Boys

The Dunn Boys are a family band from Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.  Started by Paul Dunn and his sons Jason, Josiah and Jacob, rumor has it the Dunn Boys started a hockey team and a band broke out in the confusion.  Blending Celtic, folk, rock and punk with spiritual themes, The Dunn Boys seem to be on to a winning combination of style and sound.  Their debut EP, Volume 1, sets the stage for bigger things to come. 

The Dunn Boys represent the East Coast of Canada well on their debut album, Volume 1.  Kicking off with the snippet "Mullac Abu", The Dunn Boys move quickly into the raucous party song "Nova Scotia".  "Brian Moore" is an energetic tribute; a toasting song that is entertaining and fun.  "Ballad Of Danny Fitzgerald" has a fairy tale feel, an old school love song where things work out well in the end.  "St. Jerome" is an urgent and energetic prayer for survival at sea with a vaguely haunting quality.  "Norland" finds The Dunn Boys employing some of Celtic-punk oomph of Captain Tractor, while cannibalizing the melody of "It's A Long Way To Tipperary" for the chorus.  Lead singer Jason Dunn shines here for both vocal acumen and attitude.    "Rosaline" is the second highlight of the album, a heartfelt and sincere love song with a melody you won't be able to shake.  "Black Velvet Band" is the story of how a woman and drink lead to Van Diemen's Land.  It's the sort of shanty sung to both make the work pass and remind young sailors to not get too tied down on shore leave.  Volume 1 closes with the gorgeous and lilting "Lullaby", the brightest moment on the album and an indication that within the heart of these warrior poets beats the heart of true songwriters.

The Dunn Boys impress on Volume 1, although it may take a few listens to really get the vibe.  These guys slowly grow on you; their music opening to you on successive listens like a flower slowly unwrapping in the sun.  Volume 1 should be the first of many, as The Dunn Boys find their balance between raucous fun and outstanding songwriting.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about The Dunn Boys on MySpace and Facebook.  Volume 1 is available digitally from Amazon.com or iTunes.

Fire On McGinnis - Fire On McGinnis

Fire On McGinnis - Fire On McGinnis
2010, Fire On McGinnis

Juneau, Alaska isn't known as a hotbed for Indie Music, but long cold nights make for great jamming, a jug o' Punch passed around while playing fiddle tunes is hardly the worst way to warm the heart.  This idea, or one like it, likely gave birth to Celtic rockers Fire On McGinnis.  Working with less than world class recording equipment and resources, the band have cut a respectable debut album in the form of Fire On McGinnis. 

There are a lot of pros and cons on Fire On McGinnis.  The vocalist just doesn't have the chops to lead a band of this sort, and Fire On McGinnis has altered their recording and production values to accommodate its singer.  This is apparent throughout the album.  The album opens with "The Bells Of Dunlanc", an instrumental that mixes traditional Celtic styles with a rock n roll sound.  Pipes and violin tell their tale over a martial bead and stolid bass and guitar.  "Foggy Dew" is solid, with good energy and okay vocals.  "Paddy's Leather Breeches" opens with a guitar line that sounds like the band is launching into "London Calling". The song itself is brief and a bit repetitive, but solid enough for all that. 

"Nancy Whiskey" falls flat.  Vocalist Martha DeFreest just doesn't generate any energy or dynamic variation.  The rest of Fire On McGinnis is holding back throughout the song, and it shows.  Little is held back on the instrumental "Catharsis", creating an interesting mix of Celtic and melodic rock.  Violin and guitar take the leads here, and DeFreest is particularly fluent on the fiddle, even the lead guitar occasionally drowns out part of his lines.  "Wild Rover" finds Fire On McGinnis conflicted.  This is a raucous tune, a state that vocalist DeFreest just doesn't seem able to achieve.  The backing vocals want to break out and go a bit crazy, but there's always that feel that the band needs to hold back so the vocals can be heard.  Even the interdiction of The Surfaris' "Wipeout" is a bit too laid back.  Fire On McGinnis stays stuck in this rut until the closing number, "Seaforth Lullabye" At first listen you might think it's a fairly standard bagpipe piece.  But slip on your headphones and listen again.  It's a trip.

Fire On McGinnis is a band of competent musicians who enjoy what they do.  The group is held back by a vocalist who has an interesting voice, but has neither the power, the pizzazz nor the vocal tone to successfully lead a band in a commercial environment.  A's for effort all around, but as currently configured; Fire On McGinnis is best suited to a loud bar on a Saturday night.  The band may well be capable of more, but have become so used to holding themselves back it will be a hard habit to break.

Rating: 2 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Fire On McGinnis at www.fireonmcginnis.com or www.myspace.com/fireonmcginnis.  Fire On McGinnis is available from Amazon.com on CD and as a Download.  The album is also available on iTunes.

Dropkick Murphys - Going Out In Style

Dropkick Murphys - Going Out In Style
2011, Born & Bred Records/ILG

Dropkick Murphys return in 2011 with their seventh studio album, Going Out In Style, playing once again on their trademark mix of Celtic punk and alternative rock that owes at least a nod to The Pogues.  The Boston-based septet goes to the wall again and again with great story-telling and vibrant arrangements born of working class struggle.  There's even a guest appearance by The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen.

"Hang 'Em High" is a powerful and rambunctious opener full of warrior spirit.  It's easy to see this one becoming a concert favorite with its energy and musicality.  "Going Out In Style" is modern twist on the classic drinking tune, advocating facing the end with distilled dignity.  "The Hardest Mile" is a commemoration of hard working Irish immigrants who worked themselves into the ground to help build America.  Dropkick Murphys imbue this one with tremendous energy in a joyous celebration of shared history.  "Cruel" explores the things we can't take back in a story about a rebellious, angry childhood that turns into parental alienation.  The narrator looks back on it all now from a time when amends can no longer be made and regrets.  Things get a little bland on "Memorial Day", but the band recovers quickly.

"Climbing A Chair To Bed" is another drinking song, of sorts.  This one has it all: great picking, great pipes and energy galore.  It's danceable, drinkable and wild.  "Broken Hymns" comes back to earth in an ode to soldiers who fought they could never win (or even survive).  It's a heartfelt memorial that's dark, yet heartfelt and stirring.  "Take 'Em Down" sounds like a union anthem, full of a virulent anger and energy that you simply cannot ignore.  "Sunday Hardcore Matinee" is a tribute of another fashion, recalling the great rock and roll shows of youth and how they never really lose their allure.  This is great, high-energy rock and roll.

"1953" is a tribute of sorts, although the point is painted on opaque lens.  Dropkick Murphys paint an aural picture of a bright, snowy December Day and a love story but leaves the important details just out of reach.  Bruce Springsteen adds his vocal talents to "Peg 'O My Heart", an upbeat love song played with energy and panache.  Going Out In Style does, with a raucous tribute to a ship in the form of "The Irish Rover".  This one is full of tongue-in-cheek exaggeration and humor, and is a highly entertaining way to say goodnight.

Dropkick Murphys never fail to entertain with great songwriting/storytelling and high energy arrangements that get stuck in your noggin.  Going Out In Style is no different.  There are a couple of songs here that don't quite keep pace, but on the whole it's a very strong album worth sticking around for.  Dropkick Murphys bring everything they have, whether to the stage or the studio.  Even when a particular song misses (not that this happens often), the effort is worth tuning in for.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Dropkick Murphys at www.dropkickmurphys.com or www.myspace.com/dropkickmurphys.  Going Out In Style is available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download.  The album is also available from iTunes.

Hugh Morrison - Robert Burns Rocks

Hugh Morrison - Robert Burns Rocks
2010, Dun Einstein Productions

Murder The Stout front man steps out on his own with the help of many friends on Robert Burns Rocks, a collection of vibrant rockers based on the work of Robert Burns.  Enlisting the help of Johnny Rioux and Marcus Hollar from Boston’s Street Dogs; Judi Nicolson (Banchory’s Scottish Golden Fiddle champion); Kendall Rogers; Murder The Stout’s Jay Brooks and Andy Salmon; Cory Kaiser and Aoife Ni Ghloinn, Hugh Morrison finds the swarthy adolescent glee that runs through Burns best works and brings it out as only a Celtic-punk front man can.

Robert Burns Rocks opens with “Leezy Lindsay”, a courtship song from the perspective of a Scottish Lord that’s effervescent and bright.  It’s a great opener that will make you want to dance around and perhaps exchange a cloved orange or two.  “Rantin’ Rovin’ Robin” keeps the same buoyant sensibility before Morrison moves into the musically darker territory on “Ye Jacobites By Name” without losing an ounce of catchiness.  Morrison is a dynamic and rough shod vocalist, sharing some vocal lineage with Shane MacGowan.  By contrast, vocalist Aoife Ni Ghloinn, who takes the lead on “Ye Banks And Braes” offers an air of beauty to the album with a voice as smooth as cream and as stark as a red rose against the morning green. 

“Red Red Rose” is a major change of pace, a quiet and reverent instrumental consisting of piano, violin and squeezebox that’s quite lovely in its own right.  Morrison gets ultra-patriotic with “Scots Wha Hae”, a theme of the Scottish National Party and the long-time de facto national anthem of Scotland.  The Burns poem is an interpretation of the speech given by Robert Bruce before the Battle of Bannockburn.  It is a stirring moment that Morrison delivers with passion and soul.  “Awa Whigs Awa” digs into the eternal political conflict in Scotland between The Stuarts and those with Fealty to the British Crown, delivered with a distinctly traditionalist slant.  Aoife Ni Ghloinn returns with Morrison on “Ae Fond Kiss”, a sweet love song full of memory.  You’ll be kicking up your heels to “Burns Reels”, and reminiscing with Morrison on “Rigs O’ Barely”.  “Farewell To The Highlands” is an ode to the Old Sod, full of love and reverence.  Morrison closes a great punk/folk rendition of “Auld Lang Syne”.

Hugh Morrison rocks Robert Burns, or perhaps it’s the other way around, on Robert Burns Rocks.  Scotland often gets the shaft in the world of Celtic music, but Hugh Morrison gives a world-class reminder that Scotland’s rich heritage is as dynamic and intriguing.  Granted, Burns’ poetry provides the heart, but Morrison brings life and soul to Burn’s lyrics with the irreverent air of rock n roll never far away.  Don’t be surprised if you find yourself seeking out Murder The Stout to see what else Morrison has done, and pining for more material from the gloriously voiced Aoife Ni Ghloinn. 

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Hugh Morrison at www.hughmorrison.com or www.myspace.com/hughmorrison.  Robert Burns Rocks is available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download.  The album is also available digitally from iTunes.