REVIEW - THE TOM FOOLIGANS "Five Rounds"

 

The Tomfooligans "Five Rounds"
Release date: August 2012
Running Time: 17:34, 5 tracks

“Five Rounds” is the first work by the Texan band The Tomfooligans.  Alistair (drums), Jude (guitar and lead vocals), Patrick (bass) and Robert (pipes) have recorded 5 tracks following their own Celtic punk blend. Punk and pipes, but not a new Dropkick Murphys wannabe band.

Even if the sound quality could be improved, the lads have followed a very interesting approach. Yes, there are some traditional songs, but they have avoided the standards that every single band has recorded. Neither “Fields of Athenry”, nor “The Irish Rover” can be found on “Five Rounds”. And, when they have played traditional songs, they have really worked on them or have developed a new song based on them. For instance, the second track, “Nancy´s Barnyard” combines two traditional numbers: the pipes part is the tune of “Barnyards of Delgaty” while the lyrics are from “Nancy Whiskey”. The last track also features “Amazing Grace”, but is a new song, a tribute to some American heroes (the firemen).

There are two 100% original numbers on the EP. One of them is the opening track, “McGregor’s Pipes”. Once again The Tomfooligans talk about their heroes, in this case a Scottish immigrant that fought at The Alamo. Apparently John McGregor (pipes) had musical duels with Davy Crockett (fiddle).

The other self-penned song is track no. 3, "Paddy Reb". In fact, it’s my fave, an amazing Celtic punk song, similar to The Tradesmen's stuff.

If The Tomfooligans are faithful to their songwriting and find a good studio and/or producer, their debut album could be a must have.


Tracklist:

1. McGregor's Pipes 4:37
2. Nancy's Barnyard 2:12
3. Paddy Reb 3:14
4. Galway Races 3:25
5. Fireman's Carry 3:58

http://www.facebook.com/Tomfooligans
http://www.jango.com/music/The+Tomfooligans?l=0
http://www.myspace.com/thetomfooligans/music

Click to buy the EP:

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/thetomfooligans
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_srch_drd_B0090OTIGE?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=The%20Tomfooligans&index=digital-music&search-type=ss

Review by Kinksmarkham