Paddy and the Rats – ‘Riot City Outlaws’ (2018)
Rating: 9/10
Release: 6 April 2018
Label: Napalm Records
The Hungarian Celtic punk group Paddy and the Rats is a band you don’t want to miss. From the opening piano of Aerolites which reminds me of the eighties rock of Jackson brown or Bruce Springsteen, to the exciting folk punk of songs like” Bound by Blood “and” I Wont Drink Again” This band is locked in to a potent mix of Dropkick Murphy’s like Irish punk mixed with rock and roll in big doses of guitars and gang vocals. The band has a strong pirate influence that comes through well on songs like” Black Sails”, “Sail Away”, and” Where Red Paints the Ocean”. All the instruments, (and there are a bunch) have their places in the songs and cut through the mix in layers that peel away like onions to reveal a really deep sense of melody and composition. The album is long but does not feel long. There is a nice variety in the tracks and big anthems like” Join the Riot” are offset by folksier tunes like” The Way We Wanna Go” and “Castaway”. Lead singer Paddy O’Reilly has a great voice that is clear and perfect for these songs. His range is impressive and really complements the amazing band that backs him. Fiddles, banjos, bagpipes, whistle, piano and accordions along with loud guitars and drums all swirl through the music making it memorable in so many ways. This is an album that brings a big grin to my face in all sorts of ways. Listening to the songs is an experience and you will be caught off guard by the time changes and instrumental flourishes. If I must pick a favorite track I might say” Where the Red Paints the Ocean” it is a real slab of pirate rock with a massive chorus and hook but really almost all the songs are great. The band seems equally talented with ballads like” Another Life” as they are with the Green Day style rock and roll of “Blow”. This is one of my favorite albums I have had the pleasure of listening to and reviewing this year so far and while the year is young the music has been amazing so far. I’m really looking forward to a great year for music .”Riot City Outlaws “by Paddy And The Rats is highly recommended.
Tracklist
- Aerolites 3:38
- Join The Riot 3:08
- Black Sails 3:21
- The Way We Wanna Go 3:27
- Sail Away 3:34
- Blow 3:50
- Castaway 4:16
- One Last Ale 3:10
- Where Red Paints The Ocean 3:40
- Another Life 4:05
- Bound By Blood 4:01
- I Won’t Drink Again 3:16
- Children Of The Night 4:37