Release date: September 21, 2015
Running time: 40:57, 10 tracks
I first heard of Norwegian band The Greenland Whalefishers when I got a swap/sale list from a German guy that I’d found at the Friends of Shane mail-out. He defined them as a band similar to the early Pogues. Once I had internet access, I found the band’s website and I wrote to them to buy their stuff. And then I got my first Greenland Whalefishers CDs: the “Mary B (Good)”, “The Clown” and “T.Bell’s Blues” EPs, together with their debut album “The Mainstreet Sword”. In the following years, they became Greenland Whalefishers (without “The”), a cult band that delivered a bunch of studio albums, EPs and compilations, probably the best band to understand Shane MacGowan’s songwriting. Yes, maybe the only band that gave The Pogues a run for their money in the late 90’s.
The band fronted by Arvid Grov has followed a straight line all along their career. Musically, no big changes have taken place in their sound and attitude, and no fan would accuse them of being a sellout. Quite the contrary, they are appreciated as one of the most authentic bands of the scene.
Their brand new album “The Thirsty Cave” kicks off with “Tinted”, an amazing number with a Dexy’s Midnight Runners feel. Only two tracks have been previously released, the brilliant numbers “20 Years of Waiting” and “Looney Tunes” from their “Looney Tunes EP” (For a detailed review of the EP, have a look to the London Celtic Punks review HERE). There are plenty of classic GWF fast paced anthems like “None of Us Are Faithful”, “The Letter” or my faves, the kick-ass numbers “Been Away” (with a slightly different drumming) and “Queen”, a “Galway Girl” revisited song. GWF moves to the Tom Waits territory on “Angel” and “Ted McKenzie” is a quieter number. Finally, track no. 3 “Nothing to Say” is a badass instrumental written by Arvid. If only more bands wrote their own instrumentals.
The band fronted by Arvid Grov has followed a straight line all along their career. Musically, no big changes have taken place in their sound and attitude, and no fan would accuse them of being a sellout. Quite the contrary, they are appreciated as one of the most authentic bands of the scene.
Their brand new album “The Thirsty Cave” kicks off with “Tinted”, an amazing number with a Dexy’s Midnight Runners feel. Only two tracks have been previously released, the brilliant numbers “20 Years of Waiting” and “Looney Tunes” from their “Looney Tunes EP” (For a detailed review of the EP, have a look to the London Celtic Punks review HERE). There are plenty of classic GWF fast paced anthems like “None of Us Are Faithful”, “The Letter” or my faves, the kick-ass numbers “Been Away” (with a slightly different drumming) and “Queen”, a “Galway Girl” revisited song. GWF moves to the Tom Waits territory on “Angel” and “Ted McKenzie” is a quieter number. Finally, track no. 3 “Nothing to Say” is a badass instrumental written by Arvid. If only more bands wrote their own instrumentals.
“The Thirsty Cave” album comes as a LP on green vinyl together with a CD copy. Lyrics to all the songs, line-up and thank you section are included (thank you guys for adding us to that list!). The studio and design credits are stated on the back of the sleeve. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Iver Sandøy at Solslottet Studio in Bergen and co-produced by Arvid and Agnes. The sound is perfect and even if there are a lot of electric guitar parts, the tin whistle sound is always very clear.
After 20 years, Greenland Whalefishers new album is as fresh as their earlier material. I’d say that a Greenland Whalefisher album is like a Harry Hole novel by Jo Nesbø. They never let us down and we (the fans) enjoy it from the beginning to the end. Norway's best exports.
After 20 years, Greenland Whalefishers new album is as fresh as their earlier material. I’d say that a Greenland Whalefisher album is like a Harry Hole novel by Jo Nesbø. They never let us down and we (the fans) enjoy it from the beginning to the end. Norway's best exports.
01 - Tinted 5:53
02 - None of Us are Faithful 3:56
03 - Nothing to Say 2:11
04 - Angel 4:37
05 - Been Away 3:14
06 - 20 Years of Waiting 3:45
07 - Ted McKenzie 5:22
08 - Queen 3:40
09 - Looney Tunes 4:51
10 - The Letter 3:06
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Review by Kinksmarkham
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