Bodh’aktan – ‘Ride Out on the Storm’ (2018)
Rating: 8/10
Release: 2018
Label: Independent
Having recently reviewed the bands latest release” De temps et de vents”,I was interested to hear what else the band had to offer. Bodh’aktan is a surprisingly versatile band with a wide pallet of sounds available.The band consists of Alex Richard (lead vocals, guitar, bouzouki, whistles), Alain Barriault (electric guitar, and vocals), Eric Tanguay (accordion, vocals), Eric Gousy (drums and vocals), Luc Bourgeois (bagpipes, whistles, electric guitar and vocals), Marc Angers (violin and vocals) and finally Benoit Claveau (bass and vocals).
They take there influences from traditional music and also contemporary rock and country . The blend of styles could go wrong in many ways but this band is talented enough to avoid any pitfalls. They play with fire and passion and it works. At times on this record, “Get loud”, “The Bridge” and “We cannot Fail”, They sound like a fusion of an 80’s hair metal band with traditional instruments and it is glorious. I wasn’t prepared for a song like” Get Loud” and I had to look down and make sure it was the same c.d. When the band gets back to its roots it is equally pleasing. Songs like “Chasing the Wind”, and “while I’m Away” as well as the instrumental “Reels” show the talent that is on display with this group. There is a joy to be felt throughout the album and it is engaging. Their sound is hard to keyhole but if pressed I would say that they are a bit like Great Big Sea at times. They also feature an” A”list of celebrity guests for the album with Paddy Moloney on an amazing cover of Black Velvet Band one of my favorite songs ,and also an appearance by Fiddlers Green on a cover of the bands own “We Cannot Fail”. If you enjoy Celtic Folk and Punk as well as rock and roll then this band is for you they will hit all the right spots and they only seem to be getting better. Their latest album is glorious and completely in french. If you enjoy this album then definitely check that out as well as my earlier review.
Tracklist
- About Things to Come
- Nothing but a Game
- Get Loud
- Heave Away
- Black Velvet Band (feat. Paddy Moloney of the Chieftains)
- Ride out the Storm
- The Bridge
- Reels
- You Are the Ones
- Chasing the Wind
- Mick McGuire
- We Cannot Fail
- While I’m Away
- We Cannot Fail (feat. Fiddler’s Green)