Raglans - Raglans (IRL)
CD/DL
Out Now
Irish rock/folk four-piece release their debut album.
When I saw the album cover to the eponymously titled debut album by
Raglans, I was wary. No doubt they'll be
those blue-eyed, dark haired, youths that my wife has taken a shine to after
seeing Cillian Murphy in the recent BBC2 series Peaky Blinders. They may well be too, but to be fair they've
also made a very accomplished debut.
Taking their name from Patrick Kavanagh's poem On Raglan Road and
not the sweater, their blend (and clear influences) of traditional Irish folk
and The Clash are evident. They have the
ability to write an incredibly catchy song as last single Digging Holes can
comfortably testify with the subtle hint of the matured McFly, a compliment
which they should accept, giving eleven tracks that are both precise and
memorable.
In 2011, Raglans found themselves in Portugal following an invitation
to work with Polecats founder, Boz Boorer who later went on to work with
Morrissey. They soon released their
debut EP, Long Live, introducing their indie/rock/folk to the public amidst
growing acclaim.
Produced by Jay Reynolds (Pulp, The Verve) and mixed by Brian Lucy
(Artic Monkeys, Black Keys), the sound of the Raglans debut is well
polished. Each instrument is clearly
definable and the vocals are well rounded.
There are plenty of addictive chants and straplines throughout, and
after a support tour with The Strypes and a UK tour of their own planned, they
will soon be a name on everyone's radar.
New single Lady (Roll Back The Years) will win over many new fans
and admirers. It's catchy, it's neat and
it sits well with anything being released today - "I feel a long way from
London, and even further now from Dublin" goes the lament. Fake Blood is raw but still melodious enough
to embed itself in your mind, and Not Now proves that they can slow things down
a little too.
Nothing that Raglans do is revolutionary,
but they do do it with a confidence and a contagiousness that is rarely
seen. It's not a classic either, but it
is very very good and if this is the way they are starting their career then
they have some big times in front of them.
8/10
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