REVIEW - THE BLACK TARTAN CLAN "Don't Walk Alone" (2013)

The Black Tartan Clan "Dont Walk Alone" 4Subculture Records
Release date: February 2013
Running time: 39:18, 13 tracks (12 tracks + 1 bonus track)

The Black Tartan Clan released the best Celtic punk EP of 2012 and that’s a fact. After having listened to “Standing Strong”, I might  think how BTC’s third album would be.  But when the disc is put on the CD player,  I notice that I'm wrong.  “Don’t Walk Alone” is not an enlarged version of “Standing Strong”, but a jaw-dropping album with a new sound.

The guys born in Belgium with a Scottish heart give Dropkick Murphys a run for their money.  Catchy chorus, great banjo and keyboards arrangements and a fine production. The pipes have been recorded and mixed by the book. They sound “in yer face” when necessary and they are not hidden in the mix when other instruments are at the front. McPië and his bandmates has done a fantastic job at their headquarters at Studio Bunker.

The first track is a winner: “Toora Loora” features and amazing banjo, an infectious chorus and excellent pipes.  This is the kind of song that I like. When you think that the song is over, the banjo and the pipes start playing a tune. It’s like Shane MacGowan’s “The Snake with Eyes of Garnet”,  you know what I mean.

“Don’t Walk Alone” was already included in the previous EP, then you can go to that review to know what I think about this song.

Next song is “Belgian Tartan Army”. I could say that this is one of the album highlights, but there are a lot of kick-ass songs on the album. Once again the lyrics deal with the band’s experiences, going to Scotland to play some gigs. Obviously there is a DKM tribute, as the chorus goes like this “Sing it Loud Sing it Proud, Together We’re Gonna Make You Shout”. The chorus is sung in such a way that you feel that you’re on the football terraces. By the way, I really love those keyboards arrangements that sound like the piano in the saloon on an old  Western movie.

What about “Chilli Time”? BTC playing a Macc Lads influenced sound, at least lyrically. It’s a well composed mid-tempo song on which pipes and banjo shine again.

The following number is titled “Code of The Clan”. Once again, the song is more Celtic rock than Celtic punk, but quite enjoyable. The lyrics are clear: you don’t need to follow too much rules to become a member of the Clan. Come on, join the Clan!

The BTC love Scotland, so there are no Irish songs on the album. However, The BTC have recorded their own “Loch Lomond” rendition and, to tell you the truth, it can rival with The Real McKenzies cover. A powerful rocking song with the keyboards at their right place. And the next number is another top-notch set of tunes, “The Water is Wide”. Everybody will recognize the first tune as it was recorded by Pipes and Pints on their debut album (“When the Pipers Play”). BTC version is really a well-written song. At the beginning, one can hear the pipes and keyboards at a slower pace and the other instruments join and the tune is played at a faster pace. But this is a set, so there is another tune. This time I would like to draw your attention to the percussion. The second tune sound like a Pipes band to which rocking bass and electric guitar have been added. Hats-off!

“Walk Away” is a fast-paced song with a catchy chorus. More banjo and pipes on another gem. After that, “Kilted Boys”, different lyrics with the same message, enjoy BTC’s music and attitude. This time, the tribute goes to Slade’s “Cum On Feel the Noize” via Quite Riot: “Come on Make a Noise/Join the Kilted Boys/Come on Make a Noise/Join the Clan, Join the Kilted Boys”

More lyrics about the band’s life can be heard on “5 Minutes”, an amazing Celtic punk number that is followed by “To Battle”. This one is a song about coming back to Scotland to meet the wife after having fought a war. It has some slight DKM influences at the beginning and it’s a great song.

The closing number is a different version of “Finally Free”. A slower rendition with female lead vocals.

Yes, I know that  I have said the closing number. But in fact there is a bonus track: “Kazoo Jig”. You can hear the bar atmosphere: gang vocals, strong guitars, rhythm section and banjo. 

OK. That’s all folks. My Grimbergen Dubbel is over and I must go to the fridge to take another one. And that’s what you should do: grab your fave beer and listen to the Clan. Because “Don’t Walk Alone” is a must have. Definitely one of the albums of 2013.

Track list:

1. Toora Loora 3:18
2. Don't Walk Alone 2:59
3. Belgian Tartan Army 2:58
4. Chilli Time 3:16
5. Code Of The Clan 3:43
6. Loch Lomond 3:38
7. The Water Is Wide 3:31
8. Walk Away 2:46
9. Kilted Boys 2:29
10. 5 Minutes 2:46
11. To Battle 2:49
12. Finally Free 3:42
13. Kazoo Jig 1:21

http://www.theblacktartanclan.com
http://www.reverbnation.com/theblacktartanclan
https://soundcloud.com/theblacktartanclan
https://www.facebook.com/blacktartanclan
https://twitter.com/blacktartanclan

Click to buy:

http://theblacktartanclan.com/shop2/contents/en-uk/d7.html

Review by Kinksmarkham