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.

The Wildy's World Top-40 of 2008: #27-33

Ah yes, the dreaded end-of-year lists have begun. Not being able to resist the call of annoying pop-culture end of year lists, we here at Wildy's World thought we'd tear our hair our trying to present you with the top 40 albums we've reviewed in 2008. The albums had to be released in 2007 or 2008 in order to be considered, and a total of 537 albums were in the mix. This means the forty albums we'll present over the next 10 days comprise the top 7.5% of submissions in 2008!

Each listing will give a very brief statement about the album, and the artist name/title will serve as a hyperlink to the original Wildy's World review, where you can also find links to the artists' website and links to purchase their CDs.

Today we are covering #'s 27 -33. And awaaaaay we go...

#33 Jessie Kilguss - Exotic Bird

Jessie Kilguss' debut album is full of stark, exotic and lush tunes. A stunning album, and the second best she's done in the past two years.



#32 Kristoffer Rangstam - Wrong Side Of The Room
Take someone who may be one of the best songwriters of his generation and send him on the road with a rock legend like Debbie Harry. The results are an esoteric and aurally striking album that will keep you up nights.

#31 Sirsy - Revolution

The little band that could from Albany, NY. Sirsy is the epitome of DIY Rock N Roll. Vocalist Melanie Krahmer is at her out-of-this-world best on Sirsy's latest.

#30 Sabrina Shaheen - Love Is...
Shaheen is a classically trained pianist, powerhouse vocalist, and dances across genres like Baryshnikov on stage. Love Is... is a dynamic pop/rock release with something for everyone.

#29 Amy Regan - And Then There's This

Amy Regan has Norah Jones' sweet soulful sound and the pouncing instincts of Fiona Apple. This young lady is out of left field and you'd better listen, because she is an unusual talent. And Then There's This makes the list despite the short EP format. If it were a full album it might be 20 spots higher.

#28 Nate & Kate - Fame By Frame

Artists, musicians, jugglers & newleyweds, Nate & Kate hit a home run with Fame By Frame. Their harmonies are other-worldly, and the songwriting will blow you away.

#27 The Killdares - Secrets Of The Day

An unusual mix of Celtic and Classic/Modern rock comprises Secrets Of The Day. It's so good that traditional Celtic fans like it in spite of the modern sound.

Review: The Killdares - Secrets Of The Day

The Killdares - Secrets Of The Day
2008, The Killdares

The Killdares aren't quite like anyone you've heard. You like Celtic music? check. You like a big rock sound? check. Grand master violin playing? check. Screaming bagpipes? check. Wailing electric guitar? check. A lead singer on drums? Got that too. The Dallas based quintet sets hearts and minds atwitter with their mind blowing mix of sounds and styles both in the studio and on stage. Traditional Celtic fans even fall in line for a Killdares show. On their fifth independent release, Secrets Of The Day, The Killdares even add a dark electronic element to their sound. It's an expansion on rather than a deviation from their sound. Prepare to be blown away.

The Killdares mix of Celtic and Rock is unusual but not unique. Several bands have done so over the years, most notably The Pogues, who mixed Celtic and Punk quite nicely. Other fine examples include Captain Tractor, Spirit Of The West, Great Big Sea and Seven Nations. If you enjoy any of these groups then there's a strong likelihood you'll love the Killdares. Rip-roaring bagpipes, searing violin and the strong vocals of Tim Smith make everything the Killdares touch turn to gold. Secrets Of The Day opens with Seasons, a strong, steady rocker with a memorable melody and great hooks. Closer Than You Know brings a big guitar sound and a delicious duet between pipes (Matt Willis) and violin (Roberta Rast). This song will get you moving in a big way and is likely to be a big time concert favorite.

Hold My Heart is a rock ballad with Celtic heritage and crunchy guitars. The Killdares just have this knack for creating very catchy arrangements that make you want to get up and dance. Long Island High is a must for jig fans. Irish jigs to a Rock N Roll beat -- need I say more? Be sure to check out Disappear, one of the more introspective and beautiful songs on the album. It's followed up by Along Came You, a delicious musical construct that leaves the listener picturing a lone horse and rider crossing a plain from the far horizon to here. The melody of Along Came You is inspired; it's a rock ballad that will be major mix tape material and has a great pipes solo to boot. Secrets Of The Day may just be my favorite song on the album. Guitar, pipes and violin intertwine to build a driving rock song that you won't be able to get out of your head. Other highlights include Glasgow, Push, Speak To Me and Rose De Lay.

The Killdares are the sort of band that do not come along often. The marriage of traditional Celtic style and Rock N Roll is a powerful one when done right, and the Killdares are definitely doing it right. They are an exciting band to listen on CD; I can't even imagine the intensity of a live show, but I bet its worth the time and money. Secrets Of The Day is a monster disc. It's a Wildy's World Certified Desert Island Disc, and a must for fans of Celtic music or Rock N Roll. Don't pass this one by.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

To learn more about the Killdares check out http://www.killdares.com/, where you can purchase a physical copy or a download of Secrets Of The Day.