The Clan "s/t" On Airish Records 001
Release date: CD, October 23, 2014, Digital September 29, 2014
Running time: 36:49, 12 tracks
The band from Milan The Clan were our Band of the Month last March. Even if the name is not very original, their covers of some well-known standards drew the attention of fans from all over the world. The Clan are Angelo Rocatto (vocals and guitars), Laura Brancorsini (fiddle), Chiara de Sio (tin whistle, bagpipes, back. vocals), Stefano Becce (bass) and Pietro della Sala (drums).They say that they are influenced by the likes of The Rumjacks, Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys, The Pogues and The Dubliners. However, I feel that their music and style is closer to the Central Europe movement fronted by the German band Fiddler’s Green.
The Clan’s debut album consists of an intro, a set of tunes, five standards and five brilliant self-penned songs. Taking into account the quality of their original stuff, it would have been better if they had included another two originals and put aside a couple of covers.
After the excellent pipes and drums intro, The Clan tell us who they are. “We Are The Clan” is a a fantastic number which moves from a DKM sounding starting point to a Paddy and the Rats infused song. Gang vocals are powerful and tin whistle and fiddle start a duel that lasts the whole album.
“I’ll Tell Me Ma” is the first cover and it’s improved by the addition of the “John Ryan’s Polka”. On the next track the three guys and two girls show that they influences are bigger tan those they have mentioned. The Clan, together with guests on Irish flute and uilleann pipes become a Celtic rock Bothy Band. The first jig, “Tripping Up the Stairs” is stronger that the Spirit of The West rendition, and on the next two jigs Giuseppe Malena plays the role of Matt Molloy and Daniele Bicego that of Paddy Keenan. Love it!
The core of the album begins with that set of tunes and follows with the cover of “Whiskey in the Jar” and two originals, “Paddy’s Day” and “Throat of Devil”. Chiara plays the pipes on “Whiskey in the Jar” and The Clan add an interesting fiddle part in the middle of the song. “Paddy’s Day” is THE single on the album, a catchy song in the Paddy and The Rats /Happy Ol’ McWeasel vein. Once again, there is a kick-ass fiddle/tin whistle part. “Throat of Devil”, an excellent folk metal number, features Lorenzo Marchesi (Folkstone) on medieval pipes.
“The Irish Rover” gets a fast-paced treatment and is followed by another highlight, “Joseph & Mary Son”, a song that musically ships to the other side of the pond. Laura and Clara showcase their skills together with guest Paolo Noyse on guitar.
Finally, “More Than a Lie” is a gem that is placed among their renditions of “Fields of Athenry” and “Wild Rover”. “Fields of Athenry“ has a quieter start, but soon burst into a rocking song, and the “Wild Rover”, features Chiara on bagpipes. As I have already mentioned, “More Than A Lie” is a personal fave.
Release date: CD, October 23, 2014, Digital September 29, 2014
Running time: 36:49, 12 tracks
The band from Milan The Clan were our Band of the Month last March. Even if the name is not very original, their covers of some well-known standards drew the attention of fans from all over the world. The Clan are Angelo Rocatto (vocals and guitars), Laura Brancorsini (fiddle), Chiara de Sio (tin whistle, bagpipes, back. vocals), Stefano Becce (bass) and Pietro della Sala (drums).They say that they are influenced by the likes of The Rumjacks, Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys, The Pogues and The Dubliners. However, I feel that their music and style is closer to the Central Europe movement fronted by the German band Fiddler’s Green.
The Clan’s debut album consists of an intro, a set of tunes, five standards and five brilliant self-penned songs. Taking into account the quality of their original stuff, it would have been better if they had included another two originals and put aside a couple of covers.
After the excellent pipes and drums intro, The Clan tell us who they are. “We Are The Clan” is a a fantastic number which moves from a DKM sounding starting point to a Paddy and the Rats infused song. Gang vocals are powerful and tin whistle and fiddle start a duel that lasts the whole album.
“I’ll Tell Me Ma” is the first cover and it’s improved by the addition of the “John Ryan’s Polka”. On the next track the three guys and two girls show that they influences are bigger tan those they have mentioned. The Clan, together with guests on Irish flute and uilleann pipes become a Celtic rock Bothy Band. The first jig, “Tripping Up the Stairs” is stronger that the Spirit of The West rendition, and on the next two jigs Giuseppe Malena plays the role of Matt Molloy and Daniele Bicego that of Paddy Keenan. Love it!
The core of the album begins with that set of tunes and follows with the cover of “Whiskey in the Jar” and two originals, “Paddy’s Day” and “Throat of Devil”. Chiara plays the pipes on “Whiskey in the Jar” and The Clan add an interesting fiddle part in the middle of the song. “Paddy’s Day” is THE single on the album, a catchy song in the Paddy and The Rats /Happy Ol’ McWeasel vein. Once again, there is a kick-ass fiddle/tin whistle part. “Throat of Devil”, an excellent folk metal number, features Lorenzo Marchesi (Folkstone) on medieval pipes.
“The Irish Rover” gets a fast-paced treatment and is followed by another highlight, “Joseph & Mary Son”, a song that musically ships to the other side of the pond. Laura and Clara showcase their skills together with guest Paolo Noyse on guitar.
Finally, “More Than a Lie” is a gem that is placed among their renditions of “Fields of Athenry” and “Wild Rover”. “Fields of Athenry“ has a quieter start, but soon burst into a rocking song, and the “Wild Rover”, features Chiara on bagpipes. As I have already mentioned, “More Than A Lie” is a personal fave.
The album is delivered on a digipack with a four page booklet. All the credits are included, together with the two page drawing by Frankie MacLauglin from The Rumjacks. There are no lyrics to the songs. Everybody knows the lyrics to the classics, but at least the lyrics to the original stuff would have been appreciated.
The Clan is a tight band with top-notch musicians and an amazing sound. Their original songs are so good that it’s really a shame that they have not focused on them and forgotten about the over-exposed covers. I’m sure that if they had plaid that card, this album would have been a Top5 or even a Top3. Anyway, The Clan way to stardom is straight and sure. Hats-off!
STOP THE PRESS
The Clan debut album is now distributed worldwide by Swedish label Heptown Records!
The Clan is a tight band with top-notch musicians and an amazing sound. Their original songs are so good that it’s really a shame that they have not focused on them and forgotten about the over-exposed covers. I’m sure that if they had plaid that card, this album would have been a Top5 or even a Top3. Anyway, The Clan way to stardom is straight and sure. Hats-off!
STOP THE PRESS
The Clan debut album is now distributed worldwide by Swedish label Heptown Records!
Tracklist:
01 - Intro 0:49
02 - We Are The Clan 3:48
03 - I`ll Tell Me Ma 2:48
04 - Irish Rock Jigs 4:02
05 - Whiskey in the Jar 2:22
06 - Paddy`s Day 2:56
07 - Throat of Devil 3:20
08 - Irish Rover 3:09
09 - Joseph Mary & Son 2:46
10 - Fields of Athenry 3:49
11 - More Than A Lie 3:44
12 - Whiskey In The Jar 3:12
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Reverbnation
Click to buy.
Amazon
iTunes
Review by Kinksmarkham
01 - Intro 0:49
02 - We Are The Clan 3:48
03 - I`ll Tell Me Ma 2:48
04 - Irish Rock Jigs 4:02
05 - Whiskey in the Jar 2:22
06 - Paddy`s Day 2:56
07 - Throat of Devil 3:20
08 - Irish Rover 3:09
09 - Joseph Mary & Son 2:46
10 - Fields of Athenry 3:49
11 - More Than A Lie 3:44
12 - Whiskey In The Jar 3:12
Website
Reverbnation
Click to buy.
Amazon
iTunes
Review by Kinksmarkham
No comments:
Post a Comment