All posts by Mustard Finnegan

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

Review

Neck: Here’s Mud In Yer Eye!

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I going to keep this quick as everything on “Here’s Mud In Yer Eye!” has previously been covered in Shite’n’Onions. Basically Neck have taken the best of the “Necked” CD plus the “Field of Athenry” single and a couple of newies (“Spancil Hill” and “To Win Just Once” – by the Sawdoctors!!!), remastered the shit out of them and release it over in Germany on the Core-Tex label. The sound is top notch and its the best thing Neck has done to date. Recommended, if you can get your hands on it.

March 2004

Review

Far from Finished: 3 Track Demo

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Very strong street rock from Boston based Far from Finished, reminiscent of early DKM, Swingin’ Utters and especially the Street Dogs. The Street Dogs comparison is especially relevant as the demo was produced by ex-Street Dog guitarist Rob Guidotti. Guidotti has subsequently join FFF as a permanent member.

March 2004

Review

The Electrics: EP/Radio Singles

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Kind of a Cliff Notes guide to The Electrics here, with five tracks spanning the history of the band. Four being from the more straight ahead rock’n’reel days, including the very beautiful spiritual ballad “The Blessing”, kind of like Clapton, but good. Along with one cranked up, Big Country, meets The Sex Pistols, meets Slade masterpiece – “At All”, from the forthcoming CD, “Old, New Borrowed and Green”. If the remainder of the CD is anything like “At Al” and “Killiecrankedup” from the S’n’O CD then it will be a must get.

March 2004

Review

Nivola: The Easy EP

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Nivola (sounds like a bloody girlie shampoo eh?) are a 3 piece indie rock band from Bray, Co. Wicklow Ireland. The dirtiest town in Ireland, or so they claim, but that’s a disputed title if ever there was one. In the short period of time the band have been together (8 months or so) they’ve managed to make it out to the Whisky-a-go-go in LA and supported Brooks Waterman of Bad Religion and produce this excellent demo. “The Easy EP” is 3 tracks of old school alternative rock, huge slabs of sonic guitars juxtaposition with some laid back jazz sounds and powerful vocals – the kind of stuff that used to come out of Ireland so regularly before the Celtic Tiger came along a gave birth to a bunch of bastard boy-band cubs. Maybe this is the start of the cull.

March 2004

Review

The Sandcarvers: This Time Around

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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

Review

Novi Sad: Europe’s Other Side

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After more than a decade of proffering quirky and arty pop-rock (with a hint of psychedelia in recent years) Austria’s Novi Sad switched gears with their sixth release, Europe’s Other Side. This largely acoustic collection of original modern folk songs is characterized by the exotic voice of Evelyn Blumenau (who at times resembles Dolores O’Riordan) and Klaus Schuch’s poignant songwriting and deft guitar playing. Drummer Manfred Scharf is featured, more often than not, on accordion contributing immensely to the overall mood of this album. At times the lyrics are impossibly dense, thus difficult to grasp, other times they are beautiful in their stark simplicity. For instance, rarely has a more tangible sound coupled with a graphic visual been created than on the haunting title track. It gives the listener a true glimpse into the underbelly of deep Eastern Europe. This album contains moments both moving and jarring and sometimes overly simplistic in content. Quite frankly, it also contains confusing moments that seem to make little musical or lyrical sense. In context, however, this is a well-crafted and artistic piece of work that should satisfy those looking for more plaintive and reflective qualities in modern folk music.

March 2004

Review By Dave Sleger

Review

Polkaholix: Denkste!

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First of all it must be noted that this band should not be confused with the Chicago-based band similarly dubbed the Polkaholics. Surprisingly both bands play roughly the same type of music – which is rocked up polkas sometimes bordering on punk. This German outfit from Berlin is more esoteric than their Windy City counterpart. With an emphasis on brassy arrangements the Polkaholix sneak Klezmer, gypsy, Cajun and Celtic influences into their polkas, in a manner not unlike that of the Texan eclectics, Brave Combo. Sung exclusively in German the lyrics don’t necessarily need to be understood in order to appreciate this group’s energy and impeccable musicianship.

March 2004

Review By Dave Sleger

http://www.polkaholix.de
Review

Burn Witch Burn: Burn Witch Burn

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Maybe this is old news, maybe not. So if you haven’t heard of Burn Witch Burn, please continue to read. If you already have heard of them, give yourself a nice big ole pat on the back, and smile big like a jackass on a sugar-high, because you beat me to it. The band no longer exists. If fact this album was released back in 2000, so i’m only four years late. (Not bad, considering Shane MacGowan hasn’t released a studio album in SEVEN years!) Anyway, Burn Witch Burn hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and at the time of it’s release, it was the newest project of Rodney Linderman. (More on him later)

In this reviewers opinion, Burn Witch Burn, sounds like they have been up in the Appalachian Mountains since the 1800’s and waited for the new milleneum to come down and record the album. Picture early Americana meets Celtic flavored Gothic folk, only to be topped off by the dark, mystical vocals of Vienna Linderman. You can’t help but feel the hair on your neck raise up a notch.The mandolin playing is top notch. Actually, the entire album sounds fantastic, with only one exception. Rodney Linderman’s vocals. Yes, I know what you’re thinking… Shite’n’Onions Webzine talking smack about a band? Well, for the record, i’m not talking smack at all. I’m just explaining to you that I’m so used to the lead singers previous work in other bands. You see Rodney Linderman is probably better known as Rodney Anonymous, from The Dead Milkmen! That’s right, The Dead Milkmen. Let me go on to tell you that Burn Witch Burn doesn’t contain any lyrics about smoking bananna peels, and it doesn’t mention anything about things that only eat hippies, (Great song by the way) but that’s the problem. After listening to The Dead Milkmen for so many years, I keep expecting Rodney to suddenly go off and start talking about big lizards in his backyard. Don’t let this stop you from checking these guys out! There are some incredicle tracks on this album. It’s worth a serious look to those of you who enjoy some original music.

March 2004

Review By Brian “Bitchin’ Camero” Gillespie