The Black Tartan Clan "Standing Strong" 4Subculture Records (2012)
Release date: July 2012
Running time: 4 tracks
The Loyal Men are back. And they are really loyal to the new tradition, a recording every two years. After an album in 2008 and a double album in 2012, The Black Tartan Clan have just released a 4 track EP. The road from “The Loyal Men” 2 CD to the “Standing Strong” EP has not been easy due to the line-up changes. Vocalist MacLoud left the band and guitarist MacTouche shifted to vocal duties. A new drummer (MacAël), a new guitar player (MacMarsh) and a bigger role for the sixth member MacHoze Jr., who is playing now snare, djembé, bouzouki and banjo.
The title of the EP is clear enough. The Black Tartan Clan are standing strong. If they had chosen “Standing Stronger”, maybe they would have been more accurate. Since this 4 track EP is a killer. Four top-notch songs and the band tighter than ever. The sound is brilliant, powerful, well balanced. No weakness is shown.
From the opening track “Standing Strong” to the closing track “No Stress” there is no rest. Yes, there is no slow numbers and BTC do exactly what they are expected to do. Great bagpipes punk with lyrics about friendship, pride, Braveheart…
The first track is a fantastic song with an excellent rhythm section, guitar and pipes and an interesting banjo arrangement at the end.
The next track, “Don’t Walk Alone” is also a hit. Amazing street punk with a slight Die Toten Hosen twist. A real anthem, like the next song, the epic “Finally Free”. A song about William Wallace. BTC shouting for the independence of Scotland. Just listen to that Scottish percussion on this track.
And to finish up, another awesome oi! song, “No Stress”. A cross between Dropkick Murphys and Sham 69. When you listen to the end of the song, you are sure that the band have really enjoyed the recording of the EP.
Which is the best European bagpipes punk band? Pipes & Pints? Bastards on Parade? The Black Tartan Clan? I don’t know, all of them are a real alternative to Dropckick Murphys. But, at least, I can say that “Standing Strong” is the best Celtic punk EP of 2012. You were right, Steven ;-)
Track list:
1 - Standing Strong 3:32
2 - Don't Walk Alone 3:00
3 - Finally Free 3:31
4 - No Stress 3:20
http://theblacktartanclan.com
http://www.facebook.com/blacktartanclan
http://www.reverbnation.com/theblacktartanclan
http://www.myspace.com/theblacktartanclan
https://twitter.com/blacktartanclan
Click to buy:
http://theblacktartanclan.com/shop/contents/en-uk/d7.html
The lyrics can be found at Reverbnation and at the band's website.
Review by Kinksmarkham
Release date: July 2012
Running time: 4 tracks
The Loyal Men are back. And they are really loyal to the new tradition, a recording every two years. After an album in 2008 and a double album in 2012, The Black Tartan Clan have just released a 4 track EP. The road from “The Loyal Men” 2 CD to the “Standing Strong” EP has not been easy due to the line-up changes. Vocalist MacLoud left the band and guitarist MacTouche shifted to vocal duties. A new drummer (MacAël), a new guitar player (MacMarsh) and a bigger role for the sixth member MacHoze Jr., who is playing now snare, djembé, bouzouki and banjo.
The title of the EP is clear enough. The Black Tartan Clan are standing strong. If they had chosen “Standing Stronger”, maybe they would have been more accurate. Since this 4 track EP is a killer. Four top-notch songs and the band tighter than ever. The sound is brilliant, powerful, well balanced. No weakness is shown.
From the opening track “Standing Strong” to the closing track “No Stress” there is no rest. Yes, there is no slow numbers and BTC do exactly what they are expected to do. Great bagpipes punk with lyrics about friendship, pride, Braveheart…
The first track is a fantastic song with an excellent rhythm section, guitar and pipes and an interesting banjo arrangement at the end.
The next track, “Don’t Walk Alone” is also a hit. Amazing street punk with a slight Die Toten Hosen twist. A real anthem, like the next song, the epic “Finally Free”. A song about William Wallace. BTC shouting for the independence of Scotland. Just listen to that Scottish percussion on this track.
And to finish up, another awesome oi! song, “No Stress”. A cross between Dropkick Murphys and Sham 69. When you listen to the end of the song, you are sure that the band have really enjoyed the recording of the EP.
Which is the best European bagpipes punk band? Pipes & Pints? Bastards on Parade? The Black Tartan Clan? I don’t know, all of them are a real alternative to Dropckick Murphys. But, at least, I can say that “Standing Strong” is the best Celtic punk EP of 2012. You were right, Steven ;-)
Track list:
1 - Standing Strong 3:32
2 - Don't Walk Alone 3:00
3 - Finally Free 3:31
4 - No Stress 3:20
http://theblacktartanclan.com
http://www.facebook.com/blacktartanclan
http://www.reverbnation.com/theblacktartanclan
http://www.myspace.com/theblacktartanclan
https://twitter.com/blacktartanclan
Click to buy:
http://theblacktartanclan.com/shop/contents/en-uk/d7.html
The lyrics can be found at Reverbnation and at the band's website.
Review by Kinksmarkham
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