REVIEW - UNCLE HAMISH AND THE HOOLIGANS "Operators Are Standing By" (2012)

Uncle Hamish and The Hooligans "Operators Are Standing By"
Release date: 2012
Running time:40:22, 8 tracks

“Operators Are Standing By” is the fourth album released by Uncle Hamish and The Hooligans, a five-piece bagpipes rock band from Western North Carolina. Their sound is reminiscent of (hard) rock bands from the 80’s and the keyboards and synthesizers play an important role on their music.

IMHO, the most enjoyable track from the album is “The Legend of Uncle Hamish” , a song with a Caribbean twist on which tin whistle, guitar and keyboards really match each other. “Fanfare for the Common Scotsman” is also an interesting tune, maybe the most Wolfstone-style song on the album. Apart from those, the opening track “Slante Mhath” and “Mr. Wotzit” are also worth hearing. On the other hand, “Paddy Green Emerald Shore” and “Jolly Beggermen” (sic) are not my cup of tea. I feel the former  too long and too slow and the keyboards too present on the latter.

“Operators Are Standing By”  follows a Van Halen meets Seven Nations approach that can be appealing for a lot of Celtic rock fans. However, if you enjoy  bands like Prydein or MacKeel, probably you won’t find the same energy on this album.


Tracklist:

01. Slante Mhath 04:16
02. Jolly Beggerman 04:31
03. Paddys Green Emerald Shore 08:17
04. Mr. Wotzit 04:34
05. As Bullets Hit Sand 04:27
06. Fanfare For The Common Scotsman 05:38
07. The Legend Of Uncle Hamis 04:28
08. When I’m Famous 04:20

http://www.unclehamishandthehooligans.com
http://www.reverbnation.com/unclehamishandthehooligans
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Uncle-Hamish-the-Hooligans/193844097295910?ref=ts&fref=ts

Click to buy:

http://www.unclehamishandthehooligans.com/fr_home.cfm (click on "Store" at the top)

Review by Kinksmarkham