From Southeastern Wisconsin the Sandcarvers perform classic-styled rock infused with Celtic adornments. Much like Wolfstone, Brother and perhaps Tempest on a bad day, the Sandcarvers are clearly a rock band injected with subtle bodhran, recorder and guitar accents to suggest the Celtic-rock designation. They do provide interesting takes on traditional pieces “Drowsy Maggie” and “Danny Boy.” The latter begins in expected syrupy fashion but quickly morphs into an upbeat fresh take on that infinitely overdone folksong. The best original piece is “Old Man” which begins with a didgeridoo introduction by Hamish (of the band Brother) and is accompanied by an infectious recorder refrain. The Sandcarvers are a decent rock band but if they want to make a greater impact on the sub-genre known as Celtic-rock they’d be wise to add another instrumentalist like a fiddler or accordionist and do away with the electronically reproduced bagpipe and harp sound.

March 2004

Review By Dave Sleger