REVIEW - STRAMASH "The Uprising" (2012)

Stramash "The Uprising", Headhunter Records
Release date: April 20th,2012
Running time: 69:00, 14 tracks

I love the music from Scotland. As far as Celtic rock is concerned, my favourite band was Wolfstone during their Ivan Drever/Duncan Chisolm years. I wanted to find something similar, but I was aware that it wouldn’t be easy. Anyway, last year I came across a band from Glasgow that drew my attention, Stramash, and they were chosen as Band of the Month in August 2011. Stramash are  Andrew Jackson (guitar, mandolin and vocals), Andrew Lowrie (drums, percussion and vocals), William Maxwell (bass and vocals), Michael Gilfeather (lead guitar and vocals), Alan Buchan (Highland pipes, flute and whistle) and Elaine Williamson (piano). There is no fiddler, but they share with Wolfstone their Scottish roots and their love for hard rock sounds.

I have been waiting for Stramash debut album and recently I got a copy from the band. The album is titled “The Uprising” and consists of 14 tracks with the real Scottish taste, musically and lyrically. There are well known songs and kick-ass sets of tunes. I enjoy particularly  the tracks on which the pipes have a main role:

- “Hush”  a song previously recorded by another great Scottish band, The Prodigals, formerly known as the Prodigals Sons and Mary d’Arc,
- “Stirling Psycho”: rocking guitar and pipes on this Deep Purple / Led Zeppelin influenced top-notch track. It’s a sort of a medley featuring “Cam Ye O’er Frae France” (at least the music) and Talking Heads “Psycho Killer”,
- “The Insanity of Miss McAskill”, a start à la Velvet Underground and a great trad. pipes tune in the middle,
- “The Walking Song”, another rocking instrumental based on a fantastic guitar and pipes work,
- “The Jig Rig”, a set of tunes that will become a classic Celtic rock number,
- “Loch Lomond”, not your usual version, just have a listen,
- “Top Level”, more pipes & guitars, some Caribbean sounds and a small tribute to Grease …

But, as I have previously said, there are well-known songs too, like “The Rattling Bog” and “Bonnie Ship The Diamond”, and some numbers with a Celtic pop-rock twist, for instance, “Tom Paines Bones”

Stramash “The Uprising” is an excellent album. If I am obliged to find a weak point, I would say that perhaps it’s a little bit long (69 minutes). Nevertheless, if you are a Celtic rock fan, and miss the Wolfstone early years or even the sadly defunct band Coinneach, Stramash are your next Scottish love. File together with Mudmen, Enter the Haggis and Prydein.


Tracklist:

1. Hush 5:27
2. The Rattlin Bog (Live) 3:40
3. Bonnie Ship the Diamond 3:54
4. Stirling Psycho  (Live) 8:10
5. The Insanity of Miss McAskill 3:35
6. Tom Paine's Bones (Live) 6:01
7. Dark Lochnagar 5:29
8. Queen of Scots 4:46
9. The Walking Song 3:37
10. The Jig Rig (Live) 5:04
11. Loch Lomond 5:33
12. Top Level 4:50
13. Campbletown Loch 3:32
14. Flower of Scotland 4:50

http://www.stramashscotland.co.uk
http://www.reverbnation.com/stramash
http://www.facebook.com/stramash.scotland
http://www.myspace.com/clannanord
https://twitter.com/#!/StramashBand

Click to buy the CD:

http://www.stramashscotland.co.uk/shop/

Review by Kinksmarkham

P.S. The band is touring Italy in June/July 2012. If you live there, don’t miss them!!!!


Friday, 29 June
Zero Branco, TV, IT
Altroquando Dart Club Fest

Saturday, 30 June
Parma, PR, IT
Bandit Biker Pub

Thursday, 05 July
Val de Aosta, VA, IT
CELTICA

Friday, 06 July
Val de Aosta, VA, IT
CELTICA

Sat, 07 July
Val de Aosta, VA, IT
CELTICA

Sunsay, 08 July
Val de Aosta, VA, IT
CELTICA

Friday, 13 July
Treviso, TV, IT
Tarvisium Celtica

Saturday, 14 July
Treviso, TV, IT
Tarvisium Celtica

Sunday, 15 July
Treviso, TV, IT
Tarvisium Celtica

Friday, 20 July
Treviso, IT
Piombino D'ese