The Rumjacks "Sober & Godless"
Release date: February 6th, 2015
Running time: 52:50, 14 tracks
The Rumjacks second album “Sober & Godless” is probably the Album of the Year (2015). Shite’n’Onions has not posted his list yet, but “Sober & Godless” made no. 1 at London Celtic Punks' and MacSlon’s Irish Pub Radio's lists, no. 2 at Celtic Folk Punk and More’s list and PaddyRock’s list and was voted no. 2 by Celtic Punk Club followers at vk.
“Sober & Godless” was released 11 months ago, but my promo copy arrived in mid-November just before the CD I ordered from Amazon was delivered. As all of my colleagues wrote their reviews a long time ago and you have already worn out your copy, the review will be shorter than usual. The most interesting thing about “Sober & Godless” is the sound. The Rumjacks have obviously evolved from their early EPs to their second album, but they have a sound (and a production) that makes them different from any other band in the scene. This time there are no Aussie standards and the only cover is Billy Connolly’s “(I’m Asking You) Sergeant Where’s Mine”, a song that was covered by The Dubliners on their “30 Years A Greying” album in 1992.
The album is a little bit long, but the running order helps to make it an enjoyable album. The beginning is perfect, with 4 killer tracks in a row: “Home Rule” (one of the top songs on the album), “No Pockets in a Shroud”, “Blows & Unkind Words” and “One Summers Day”. In the middle, the listener can take a breath, thanks to ska and reggae numbers such as “Barred for Life”, “Home” or “I Smell Trouble” and the folkier “Leaky Tub”. And finally, another 3 badass tracks to close the album: “The Reaper & Tam MCorty” (bloody brilliant song!!!), “Me Old Ball & Chain” and “400 Miles” (where they give The Real McKenzies a run for their money)
“Sober & Godless” packaging is a 4 panel digipack. No booklet is included, but the lyrics to every single song are available at the band’s website. However, neither studio credits, nor guest list are mentioned on the digipack. The band’s facebook confirms that the artwork has been made by Frankie: "For all who don't already know, our Frankie does almost all the art for The Rumjacks and since he can't nail a job that let him go touring for half the year, he's kicking out on his own. Doing art & design for other bands, festivals, backyard shindigs, bake-sales, cookouts (glad we spelt that right) and just about any other stupid idea you guys have got going.. Rip on over & give the boy a 'like' or three. Cheers all - The Rumjacks." Frankie's Cranky Bhoy Facebook Page. The cover art piece is titled 'Abyssus Abyssum Invocat'.
Master piece? Sure. Their best album? Let’s wait for the third one. Three are needed for a trilogy and we love trilogies, don't we?
Tracklist:
01 - Home Rule 3:36
02 - No Pockets in a Shroud 3:21
03 - Blows & Unkind Words 4:45
04 - One Summers Day 3:17
05 - Barred for Life 3:47
06 - Plenty 2:34
07 - Home 4:36
08 - Oh Sergeant Where's Mine? 3:45
09 - The Leaky Tub 4:21
10 - I Smell Trouble 2:55
11 - Sober & Godless 4:29
12 - The Reaper and Tam McCorty 3:48
13 - Me Old Ball & Chain 2:54
14 - 400 Miles Away 4:08
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Soundcloud
Click to buy:
iTunes
Amazon DE
Amazon UK
Amazon FR
Amazon ES
Review by Kinksmarkham
Release date: February 6th, 2015
Running time: 52:50, 14 tracks
The Rumjacks second album “Sober & Godless” is probably the Album of the Year (2015). Shite’n’Onions has not posted his list yet, but “Sober & Godless” made no. 1 at London Celtic Punks' and MacSlon’s Irish Pub Radio's lists, no. 2 at Celtic Folk Punk and More’s list and PaddyRock’s list and was voted no. 2 by Celtic Punk Club followers at vk.
“Sober & Godless” was released 11 months ago, but my promo copy arrived in mid-November just before the CD I ordered from Amazon was delivered. As all of my colleagues wrote their reviews a long time ago and you have already worn out your copy, the review will be shorter than usual. The most interesting thing about “Sober & Godless” is the sound. The Rumjacks have obviously evolved from their early EPs to their second album, but they have a sound (and a production) that makes them different from any other band in the scene. This time there are no Aussie standards and the only cover is Billy Connolly’s “(I’m Asking You) Sergeant Where’s Mine”, a song that was covered by The Dubliners on their “30 Years A Greying” album in 1992.
The album is a little bit long, but the running order helps to make it an enjoyable album. The beginning is perfect, with 4 killer tracks in a row: “Home Rule” (one of the top songs on the album), “No Pockets in a Shroud”, “Blows & Unkind Words” and “One Summers Day”. In the middle, the listener can take a breath, thanks to ska and reggae numbers such as “Barred for Life”, “Home” or “I Smell Trouble” and the folkier “Leaky Tub”. And finally, another 3 badass tracks to close the album: “The Reaper & Tam MCorty” (bloody brilliant song!!!), “Me Old Ball & Chain” and “400 Miles” (where they give The Real McKenzies a run for their money)
“Sober & Godless” packaging is a 4 panel digipack. No booklet is included, but the lyrics to every single song are available at the band’s website. However, neither studio credits, nor guest list are mentioned on the digipack. The band’s facebook confirms that the artwork has been made by Frankie: "For all who don't already know, our Frankie does almost all the art for The Rumjacks and since he can't nail a job that let him go touring for half the year, he's kicking out on his own. Doing art & design for other bands, festivals, backyard shindigs, bake-sales, cookouts (glad we spelt that right) and just about any other stupid idea you guys have got going.. Rip on over & give the boy a 'like' or three. Cheers all - The Rumjacks." Frankie's Cranky Bhoy Facebook Page. The cover art piece is titled 'Abyssus Abyssum Invocat'.
Master piece? Sure. Their best album? Let’s wait for the third one. Three are needed for a trilogy and we love trilogies, don't we?
Tracklist:
01 - Home Rule 3:36
02 - No Pockets in a Shroud 3:21
03 - Blows & Unkind Words 4:45
04 - One Summers Day 3:17
05 - Barred for Life 3:47
06 - Plenty 2:34
07 - Home 4:36
08 - Oh Sergeant Where's Mine? 3:45
09 - The Leaky Tub 4:21
10 - I Smell Trouble 2:55
11 - Sober & Godless 4:29
12 - The Reaper and Tam McCorty 3:48
13 - Me Old Ball & Chain 2:54
14 - 400 Miles Away 4:08
Website
Soundcloud
Click to buy:
iTunes
Amazon DE
Amazon UK
Amazon FR
Amazon ES
Review by Kinksmarkham
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