REVIEW - O'LEARY "Red Roads of Home" (2015)

O'Leary "Red Roads of Home" Self-released
Release date: October 13th, 2015
Running time: 35:03, 9 tracks

O’Leary are a band hailing from Prince Edward Island, one of the Canadian maritime provinces. O’Leary are Danny Dowling (vocals, banjos and tin whistle), Behn McIlwaine (guitar), Josh Maccarville (drums), Shaun Patterson (bass), Garrett Curley (vocals, mandolin, bouzouki and acoustic guitars) and Chris Gaudette (guitar, vocals). Josh stepped up as the band’s new drummer after the recording of the album, and former member Ryan Hale recorded the drums.

If you have not heard the band’s previous single “The Miser of Morell” (available at Bandcamp), you could think that they would be a Celtic punk oufit inspired by the likes of Great Big Sea. However, after having given several spins to the O’Leary’s debut album, you’ll noticed that they have followed a different path: Appalachian influences and punk goes metal songs.

"Red Roads of Home” kicks off with “The Miser of Morell”. Imagine a hillbilly version of The Electrics showcasing excellent banjo picking and electric guitar work.

Track no. 2 is titled “Red Roads of Home”. It has an a capella beginning and every instrument is joining in little by little. This song has an Aussie influenced sound à la The Rumjacks.

“Ruddiger” is another highlight on the album and O’Leary come back to the hillbilly sound with a punk twist. It is followed by “The Gallows”, a song that reminds me of Vagrant Nation.

The next number is the only Irish standard on the album. “Whiskey in The Jar”. Interesting banjo and mandolin led version of this classic.

“Cold Black Sea” and “The Ship is Going Down” deal with sea themes and both of them featured metal guitars.

“Trevor’s Quest” is one of my faves, a kickass self-penned instrumental, the kind of stuff that I enjoy.

Finally “Mountain Dew” is a brilliant rendition of the Appalachian classic song by Bascom Lamar Lundsford.

Regarding the packaging, “Red Roads of Home” comes in jewel case. The album was recorded at various locations and mixed and mastered by Chris Gaudette. The album artwork was made by Shaun Patterson and the design by Danny Dowling. Full credits and band's social media links are provided.

Several amazing albums are being released along the last quarter of the year, and O’Leary “Red Roads of Home” is at the top of them. If you love mandolins and banjos, storytelling, the Canadian feel and a fresh sound different from the main schools of the genre, then hurry up and pick up a copy of O’Leary’s debut album.

Tracklist:

1 The Miser of Morell 3:48
2 Red Roads of Home 4:06
3 Ruddiger 3:24
4 The Gallows     O'Leary 5:10
5 Whiskey in the Jar 2:27
6 Cold Black Sea 5:26
7 The Ship Is Going Down 3:24
8 Trevor's Quest 3:22
9 Mountain Dew 3:40

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Review by Kinksmarkham