Review: Barenaked Ladies - You Run Away (single)

Barenaked Ladies - You Run Away
2010, Raisin Records

It's hard to believe it's been 12 years since Barenaked Ladies dominated both US and Canadian radio with One Week, much less that it's been 17 years since I first saw them in an over-crowded and likely illegally packed former truck garage in Buffalo, NY. I've heard Barenaked Ladies go from a jazzy acoustic-Pop sound to brooding new wave to Poppy dementia to mellowing Pop maestros who Paul McCartney himself calls one of the most interesting bands in Pop music today. Co-founder/vocalist/songwriter Steven Page departed the band last year, wanting a larger share/stage for his songwriting, leaving Barenaked Ladies as a quartet for the first time in nearly two decades. The band chose to continue in this fashion rather than trying to replace Page's iconic voice.

Barenaked Ladies will release their 11th studio album, All In Good Time, on March 23, 2010 in Canada with a US release due on March 30th. It will be the first new material as a quartet and has been a source of both agita and excitement for longtime fans. On January 8th, the Ladies released the first single, You Run Away, on their website. It would be hard to call You Run Away a departure for the band, as BNL have ever been moving toward a more developed and nuanced sound, but for years Ed Robertson and Steve Page were yang and yin, respectively, for the band. They served to balance one another, as Page's darker side brought out the lighter aspects of Robertson's musical character. Over the past few albums, Barenaked Ladies have become more and more egalitarian in their songwriting, changing the balance of songwriting duties and influences.

This change in structure started to bring out a fuller texture in the band in general, and Robertson's songwriting in particular. If You Run Away is any indication, the change that has been fomenting for the past decade comes into full bloom in 2010. You Run Away is a mid-tempo, sorrowful ballad. It could be a song about a failed relationship (and I am sure some fans will speculate about the lyrics and Page's departure), but it's not an angry song. The melody is among the finest Barenaked Ladies have crafted in their 20+ years together, and it might be just the tune needed to return Barenaked Ladies to the Pop charts.

Robertson is in amazing voice, and arrangement is serene and melancholy, full of an almost tragic beauty. If You Run Away is representative of the album, All In Good Time could be their finest album yet. On a purely subjective level, as a fan, You Run Away brings me back to a time and place when I used to listen to the band incessantly. Not because it sounds like they used to, but because it sounds like Barenaked Ladies are once again creating like they used to.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Barenaked Ladies at http://www.barenakedladies.com/. Barenaked Ladies will release All In Good Time (read review here) on their own label, Raisin Records, but recently signed a distribution agreement with EMI Music. The song will be released on iTunes in the near future. For now you can stream You Run Away on their website. You Run Away and All In Good Time were produced by Michael Philip Wojewoda, who previously produced the band's groundbreaking 1993 debut album, Gordon, and their 2008 Children's album Snacktime, as well as albums for Spirit Of The West, Great Big Sea, Ashley MacIsaac and The Rheostatics.

Review: Andrew McFayden - Suilean Fosgailte, Fuasgladh Cinn (Open Eyes, Open Mind)

Andrew McFayden - Suilean Fosgailte, Fuasgladh Cinn (Open Eyes, Open Mind)
2007, Grian Culture And Language

Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia has long been home to a community of Scots immigrants and their descendants who have managed in spite of time and technology to hold on to many of the old ways, customs and stories. Indeed, it's been said that in some ways the residents of Cape Breton are more Scot than the current residents of The Old Sod. The Elders of the Scots community of Cape Breton are moving slowly into the twilight, and the younger generations move on as they always do, but luckily there are still folks like Andrew McFayden striving to keep the music, culture and language alive. McFayden lives in Prince George, British Columbia and has a Masters Degree with a thesis about reviving Scottish Gaelic in Cape Breton Island. McFayden has been performing professionally since 2003 and has toured through several Canadian provinces, performing at events such as the Prince George Gathering Of The Clans. McFayden also teaches Gaelic as well as serving in an advisory capacity on several boards relating to the subject. In 2007, McFayden released his second album, Suilean Fosgailte, Fuasgladh Vinn (Open Eyes, Open Mind) as a follow-up to 2004's An Rathad Cam 'S An Rathad Direach (The Crooked Road And The Straight Road). The album and resulting concert performances have won rave reviews, and we were lucky enough for Mr. McFayden to send us a copy for consideration. Keep in mind that I do not speak Gaelic, so my impressions are primarily of the music and sounds

McFayden lays out a tapestry of songs that plays something like a family tree of Scots Gaelic musical traditions. Most of these tunes are performed in much the way they are still performed in Cape Breton (and in some cases in Scotland itself). Open Eyes, Open Mind starts off with the a Cappella An Teid Thu Leam A'Righinn Og, calling to mind a fond reverie with a clear voice. McFayden revisits this song with full instrumentation later on in an indescribable act of beauty. The bagpipe that closes the song out will send chills down your spine. A Fagail Ceap Breatnan is all about leaving home; full of sorrow and loss and hope to return home once again. This tune was done with sparse instrumentation but may be more stark done a Cappella.

A Fhleasgaich An Fhuilt Chraobhaich Chai finds McFayden sounding like a true troubadour. The tune is done up in a modern folk or even light rock arrangement that somehow manages to not eclipse the antiquarian feel of the song. McFayden introduces a kitchen party-style group sing on E Ho Ro Mo Mhaighdinn Lurach. The moment created is palpable you'll find yourself wishing for a cup of Grog and singing along. The Oatfield Weaver Set is a personal favorite; a piano arrangement with a bit of swing to it to support a lilting vocal line. Violin adds its voice to the mix to create a vibrant sound.

McFayden turns modern on Mo Ghaolsa Mairi, buttressing a gorgeous vocal line with a piano and percussion arrangement very comfortable for the current commercial World Music environment. Bu Deonach Leam Tilleadh has one of those melodies that will haunt your thoughts for a number of days set in a light acoustic rock arrangement built primarily from piano and percussion. To Mom/Assuming Of Course is a sweet and melodic piano piece that serves as respite before the final push. Chi Mi Bhuam seems to practically grow out of To Mom... and plays like a sweet and gentle lullaby. McFayden closes out with the martial Mo Thruaigh Leir Thu 'Ille Bhuidhe. This group-sing with percussion stirs thoughts of William Wallace and all those who fought to give Scotland her freedom; and all those who've fought to keep their traditions alive west of the Atlantic. And not to worry; for those looking for traditional Jigs and Reels, look no further than The Gonzaga Set.

Andrew McFayden is in rarefied territory. Mary Jane LaMond briefly popularized Gaelic back in the 1990's, singing on Ashley MacIsaac's Sleepy Maggie, but for McFayden it's more like a mission than mere performance. While he counts modern Celtic bands amidst his favorites and influences, it's the language and music of that first generation of Scots Cape Bretoners is his lifeblood. McFayden plays and sings as if this is true on Suilean Fosgailte, Fuasgladh Cinn (Open Eyes, Open Mind), and you can't help but be moved even if you have no idea what the words mean. Sometimes emotion runs so deep it speaks without words, and that's the case here. Suilean Fosgailte, Fuasgladh Cinn (Open Eyes, Open Mind) is a work of art, an essential listen, and a Wildy's World Certified Desert Island Disc.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Andrew McFayden at http://www.grianmcbuttons.ca/ or www.myspace.com/andrewmcfayden. You can order copies of Suilean Fosgailte, Fuasgladh Cinn (Open Eyes, Open Mind) from IndiePool.com, or you can purchase a download from iTunes

Review: The Rye - The Rye

The Rye – The Rye
2006, The Rye

Galway, Ireland is home to one of the more impressive and energetic Celtic acts you’re likely to come across. The Rye take the energy (and to a degree, the sound) of The Pogues and combine it with the lyrical acuity of Tom Waits. Add in some of the tightest, most impressive ensemble play on the West Coast of Ireland and you have not just a band but a musical experience. The Rye’s debut EP, The Rye, was released in 2006, but unless you’re a denizen of the pubs of Ireland you’ve likely not heard of The Rye. It’s too bad, but it’s not too late. Trust me; you want to add The Rye to your library.

The Rye opens with Banana Song, with lead vocalist Kevin Melly sounding like Shane McGowan, complete with nearly indecipherable lyrics. It’s a great tune, and lively; I just wish I could make out much of what he’s singing here. Square Peig is a wonderfully complex reel that will have you up and dancing. Lonely Mary is a sad but sweet love song full of loss and the fear of loss. Polcat Blues is a great acoustic Blues/Rock hybrid that will get your toes tapping and that you’ll be humming for days. The Rye closes out with the memorable instrumental Katie Lie Over.

Melly is a memorable and distinctive vocalist, and fans of The Pogues really will do a double take when they hear him. Anna Falkenau plays the meanest Irish fiddle since Ashley Mac Isaac’s quart-a-show days. The rest of the band, Alan Walsh (guitar, banjo, vox); Barry Wallace (bass, banjo) and Dessie Harrington (drums) are top notch. I finished up listening to The Rye wishing for more, and also that they’d be playing a date here in Buffalo very soon. The CD is great listening, but this is a band with the potential to own an audience. They just need the opportunity.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about The Rye at http://www.therye.ie/. You can purchase a copy of The Rye at www.cdbaby.com/cd/therye.

Review: The Irish Experience - Green Energy

The Irish Experience – Green Energy
2009, The Irish Experience

Seattle’s The Irish Experience releases their sophomore CD, Green Energy, on March 17, 2009. Picking up where they last left off, The Irish Experience brings high energy instrumental Celtic music with a Rock N Roll feel and the occasional Appalachian folk underpinning. Electric violin, guitar, congas, bongos, harmonica, synth and djembe as the weapons of choice here, and you’ll quickly be consumed in the passion and energy The Irish Experience pumps into their music. Even the slower songs have a vibrant life you just won’t be able to ignore.

Green Energy opens with The Wicked Jig, a violin led opus over rhythmic guitar and some of the funkiest bass playing west of Chicago. Try to stand still while this one is playing; you can’t. Brendan McGlinchey’s is a wonderfully dark interpretation you can’t help get a little lost in. Dinny Delaney’s Slide may be the best track here. The violin and bass dance around one another while guitar and percussion steady the floor. John Brown’s Dream brings out a little of the Appalachian feel as The Irish Experience borders on a Celtic Bluegrass sound (banjo would complete the effect). Paddy Fahey’s is more of a rock tune than anything else here with an almost Mike Scott/Waterboys feel to it. Other highlights include Within A Mile Of Dublin, Indian Point, Scatter The Mud and The Fiddler’s Lament.

The Irish Experience delivers irrepressible Green Energy on their CD, but anything you read about them indicates the real thrill is their live shows. Green Energy is an accomplished instrumental disc that’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or anytime you want to get back to your real or adopted Irish roots. This is a great listen.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about The Irish Experience at www.myspace.com/IrishExperience. You can purchase Green Energy through CDBaby, iTunes or Rhapsody.