For When the Inspiration Hits Just Right.
First off, let me give you my thanks for taking the time to read this. I know that in these days time is a premium commodity, and any information not conveyed in 2 minutes or less is deemed delinquent.
But sometimes I cannot resist myself and the vast amount of things I listen to, and these I wanted very much to to give to you.
Brìghde Chaimbeul -
“The Reeling”
You’ll have to forgive me for my thoroughly entrenched love of piping. I’m not entirely sure who’s to blame for my love of bagpipes but it is one that I rarely get to explore as much as I would like in Western Canada. And upon discovering the works of Brìghde Chaimbeul I have been much elated.
Not since my encounter with the works of renowned uilleann piper Seamus Ennis through a serendipitous record sale giveaway from a public library has there been so many reels in my house. There is something very unique and particular about the bagpipes, even more so the Scottish smallpipes that Brìghde Chaimbeul avails herself of.
This album is both haunting and soulful, steeped in tradition, innovation, and enchantment. I would forgive you for thinking that perhaps an album of piping to be monotone but I assure that this is far from the truth. It is a precious thing to have a cultural form of music not only brought to the current day but revitalized for new listeners to hear; with the help of legendary piper Rona Lightfoot nonetheless (who was the first woman ever to compete in competitive piping). I implore you to give this album a try and if you don’t love it, well you’re just not trying hard enough.
Some standout tracks include: “O Chiadain an Lo”, and “The Old Woman’s Dance / The Skylark’s Ascension”
Mclusky - Gateway Band
A very long time ago a much younger and less self assured Josh was a high-school student developing an affection for bizarre and loud things. One of the more rambunctious and antagonistic culprits being the best thing to come out of Wales a band called “Mclusky”.
Unfortunately like too many good things the band came to an early conclusion, leaving their multiple albums to fester in my slowly growing CD collection at the time. So upon learning that: A. Chris Thille of the Punch Brothers had performed a folk cover of one their songs “Icarus Smicarus” (a pairing I didn’t think possible) and B. That 2/3rds of the band had reformed to play some shows around late 2019 and had recorded them onto a 54 track live album, my summer had been automatically improved by magnitudes. Not only does this new life of Mclusky* (now marked with an extra * to show it’s revival) sound as excellent and crunchy as they did over a decade ago. My dreams of going to a Mclusky* live show and having my eardrums rattled have gained new life.
This band is unapologetic, dancy, weird, loud, and will heckle the ego off of you, and I so excited they are back. I don’t have the time to sing every praise they deserve from their records but I will guarantee you that you haven’t heard a band like Mclusky* before.
Some places to start with Mclusky are “You Should Be Ashamed Seamus”, “Alan is a Cowboy Killer”, and “To Hell With Good Intentions”. Or if you’re truly brave you can try their 54 track live album “Gateway Band”
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - Carnage
Coming off of the beautifully melancholy heights of his previous album “Ghosteen” and the positively stunning solo piano live show “Idiot Prayer”. I was very curious to see what gothic wanderings Nick Cave would produce next, especially after such an intimate project that is the past 3 albums from “Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds”.
Carnage cuts a slightly different cloth as it is not an official Bad Seeds album but rather a collaboration between Nick Cave and longtime Bad Seed member and part time sound wizard Warren Ellis. These two are in fact frequent collaborators, having made several soundtracks and sonically producing a number of Bad Seed albums together. So rather than being a large conceptually tight knitted project such as the past few albums '“Carnage” stands on its individual song’s merits; and meritorious they are. While this record maintains Cave’s leering gloomful swagger there is an undertone of musical aggression, like a dark storm cloud slowly growing closer in the distance.
Ranging from the industrial to the etherial Nick Cave and Warren Ellis carve their own path in the musical world. This record may take as much time to digest as a four course meal, but it will also feed your musical hunger for as much time.
This album is excellent, some stand out tracks include: “Hand of God”, “Carnage”, and “Shattered Ground”
If you’ve given any of these a shot please let us know on our socials and thanks for reading!
- Josh -
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