Firkin "Finger in the Pie" Pump Jump Records PJR201401
Release date: 22 February 2014
Running time: 43:06, 14 tracks
“Finger in the Pie” is Firkin’s fifth album. Fortunately we are pleased to have reviewed every single release by Budapest finest. Technically it could be said that “Finger in the Pie” is the band’s third studio album; “Igyunk pálinkat” was basically a re-interpretation of their songs in Hungarian and “Keep on Firkin” a live DVD/CD. Even if some line-up changes have occurred (Bazsi is the new guitarist, and Pali is no longer a full-part member, but a guest), Firkin is as strong as ever. These five guys and a girl don’t let you down. Their music can be crazy, wild, fast-paced, but also quite, as gentle as a caress … They master their instruments and they master the tempo, then their albums are always well-balanced master works.
Thirteen songs and one instrumental made it to the new album: eight self-penned songs and six covers of standards and traditional stuff. Regarding the original material, the band showcases their folkie skills on numbers such as “If I Could Be The Pope”. The first “single” of the album is a great song with interesting background vocals and badass flute and fiddle. “Parasite’s Lost” also features an amazing 70’s sounding flute. The intro is fully acoustic, guitar and flute only, but then the full band delivers an excellent song with a Fiddler’s Green from the Peter Pathos era flavour. “High and Low” is an epic number featuring a strings sextet. Firkin have really spent a lot of time on developing their own compositions. PJ and his bandmates know that every song has its own life. So, if the song needs additional musicians, even if they are classically trained artists, they will find them.
Firkin shows their hard rock/ metal end on “The Child of Fire”. Barna’s vocals are incredible, Bazsi’s guitar work impeccable and PJ’s flute perfect. Should I say that I love this song? The next number, "I Am Who I Am", has the classic Firkin’s stamp at the beginning. The listener is then surprised when he noticed that the song is sung by a girl, Judit Bonyár. This is a track to check out absolutely: electric guitar and rhythm section back perfectly Judit’s vocals and PJ’s tin whistle and Lili’s fiddle are flawless.
The following self-penned song is sung by Barna, "Finger in the Pie". He begins playing acoustic guitar, but obviously the song is going to get the full Firkin’s treatment. It turns out to be a fast-paced song featuring an amazing electric guitar part. “Dirty Julie” is another of my faves. Firkin go really mad and become a sort of a Celtic Toy Dolls. This song is followed by the upbeat “Nincompoop”. Fast-paced Celtic punk at its best.
As far as the covers are concerned, Firkin have followed different approaches: one standard with different lyrics and song title; four traditional songs and one instrumental. The first one is a re-recording of “The Foggy Dew”. The Hungarian version can be found on their third album. The song has been called “Kind and Fine” and is sung once again by former band member Pali. “Donegal Danny” and “Molly Malone” are lively renditions of Irish ballads. “My Love John” is a midtempo version of the traditional song “P Stands for Paddy” . It’s sung by another girl, Nóra Fehér. The strings sextet guest on this number too. The band moves to the Scottish territory with “Loch Lomond”, a song that features PJ’s electronic pipes. Finally, “Jumping Lovers” is a tune consisting of a rocking intro and the well-known “Tam Lin” reel.
The CD is available in a digipack packaging with a 12 page booklet full of band pictures. I recommend that you buy a hard copy instead of a digital version. Grab a beer, read the lyrics and sing-a-long!
Firkin fans will not be disappointed, as “Finger in the Pie” has all the elements that have pushed Firkin to stardom. Anyway, I feel that the band should bet on their own material and include less well-known covers on the next album. There are plenty of traditional songs from the Planxty/De Dannan/Altan/Dervish discography to get a new lease of life. Or even from Christy Moore or The Wolfe Tones repertoire. The Celtic punk/rock scene needs to unveil these hidden gems and, IMHO, Firkin is the right band to do it.
Track listing:
01 - Donegal Danny 2:28
02 - If I Could Be The Pope 3:38
03 - Kind And Fine 2:36
04 - Molly Malone 1:52
05 - Parasite’s Lust 4:03
06 - High And Low 4:07
07 - The Child Of Fire 2:49
08 - I Am Who I Am 3:32
09 - Loch Lomond 3:22
10 - Finger In The Pie 3:07
11 - My Love John 3:42
12 - Dirty Julie 2:57
13 - Nincompoop 2:23
14 - Jumpin’ Lovers 2:23
Website
Facebook
Soundcloud
Click to buy
Band's Store
Review by Kinksmarkham
Release date: 22 February 2014
Running time: 43:06, 14 tracks
“Finger in the Pie” is Firkin’s fifth album. Fortunately we are pleased to have reviewed every single release by Budapest finest. Technically it could be said that “Finger in the Pie” is the band’s third studio album; “Igyunk pálinkat” was basically a re-interpretation of their songs in Hungarian and “Keep on Firkin” a live DVD/CD. Even if some line-up changes have occurred (Bazsi is the new guitarist, and Pali is no longer a full-part member, but a guest), Firkin is as strong as ever. These five guys and a girl don’t let you down. Their music can be crazy, wild, fast-paced, but also quite, as gentle as a caress … They master their instruments and they master the tempo, then their albums are always well-balanced master works.
Thirteen songs and one instrumental made it to the new album: eight self-penned songs and six covers of standards and traditional stuff. Regarding the original material, the band showcases their folkie skills on numbers such as “If I Could Be The Pope”. The first “single” of the album is a great song with interesting background vocals and badass flute and fiddle. “Parasite’s Lost” also features an amazing 70’s sounding flute. The intro is fully acoustic, guitar and flute only, but then the full band delivers an excellent song with a Fiddler’s Green from the Peter Pathos era flavour. “High and Low” is an epic number featuring a strings sextet. Firkin have really spent a lot of time on developing their own compositions. PJ and his bandmates know that every song has its own life. So, if the song needs additional musicians, even if they are classically trained artists, they will find them.
Firkin shows their hard rock/ metal end on “The Child of Fire”. Barna’s vocals are incredible, Bazsi’s guitar work impeccable and PJ’s flute perfect. Should I say that I love this song? The next number, "I Am Who I Am", has the classic Firkin’s stamp at the beginning. The listener is then surprised when he noticed that the song is sung by a girl, Judit Bonyár. This is a track to check out absolutely: electric guitar and rhythm section back perfectly Judit’s vocals and PJ’s tin whistle and Lili’s fiddle are flawless.
The following self-penned song is sung by Barna, "Finger in the Pie". He begins playing acoustic guitar, but obviously the song is going to get the full Firkin’s treatment. It turns out to be a fast-paced song featuring an amazing electric guitar part. “Dirty Julie” is another of my faves. Firkin go really mad and become a sort of a Celtic Toy Dolls. This song is followed by the upbeat “Nincompoop”. Fast-paced Celtic punk at its best.
As far as the covers are concerned, Firkin have followed different approaches: one standard with different lyrics and song title; four traditional songs and one instrumental. The first one is a re-recording of “The Foggy Dew”. The Hungarian version can be found on their third album. The song has been called “Kind and Fine” and is sung once again by former band member Pali. “Donegal Danny” and “Molly Malone” are lively renditions of Irish ballads. “My Love John” is a midtempo version of the traditional song “P Stands for Paddy” . It’s sung by another girl, Nóra Fehér. The strings sextet guest on this number too. The band moves to the Scottish territory with “Loch Lomond”, a song that features PJ’s electronic pipes. Finally, “Jumping Lovers” is a tune consisting of a rocking intro and the well-known “Tam Lin” reel.
The CD is available in a digipack packaging with a 12 page booklet full of band pictures. I recommend that you buy a hard copy instead of a digital version. Grab a beer, read the lyrics and sing-a-long!
Firkin fans will not be disappointed, as “Finger in the Pie” has all the elements that have pushed Firkin to stardom. Anyway, I feel that the band should bet on their own material and include less well-known covers on the next album. There are plenty of traditional songs from the Planxty/De Dannan/Altan/Dervish discography to get a new lease of life. Or even from Christy Moore or The Wolfe Tones repertoire. The Celtic punk/rock scene needs to unveil these hidden gems and, IMHO, Firkin is the right band to do it.
Track listing:
01 - Donegal Danny 2:28
02 - If I Could Be The Pope 3:38
03 - Kind And Fine 2:36
04 - Molly Malone 1:52
05 - Parasite’s Lust 4:03
06 - High And Low 4:07
07 - The Child Of Fire 2:49
08 - I Am Who I Am 3:32
09 - Loch Lomond 3:22
10 - Finger In The Pie 3:07
11 - My Love John 3:42
12 - Dirty Julie 2:57
13 - Nincompoop 2:23
14 - Jumpin’ Lovers 2:23
Website
Soundcloud
Click to buy
Band's Store
Review by Kinksmarkham
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