Rating: 8.5/10
Release: 6 March 2020
Label: ATS Records

Paddy Murphy is a Celtic band from Austria. They label themselves as Irish speed folk rock and I would consider that fairly accurate however this album is a fairly traditional sounding affair leaning towards folk melodies and punk rock with nice Celtic overtones. The vocals are clear and sweet and the band is more than competent. Guitars and fiddle roar through the bass and drum beats tearing through folk and rock songs with abandon but slowing down when appropriate to deliver real emotion. At a whopping 16 tracks the album really gives the listener time to hear all the band has to offer,and it is a lot. From fast rock punk to folk, traditional and country this album has it all. I’m really impressed at the quality of the lyrics and variety that this collection offers it is quite joyful and in a crowded field of great bands they distinguish themselves by delivering a great album. Along with wonderful originals the band delivers great covers of The Irish Rover and No Mans Land. The Irish Rover is lifted by some wonderful guitar soloing and No Mans Land is mournful and touching with nice bagpipes. The real gem of the covers however is a completely remade reversion of Green Days “Basket Case”. Words fail to say how great this is, the guitar is outstanding and the whole arraignment is perfect. Other standouts on the disc include the uplifting anthem, “Time to make some changes”, the haunting folk ballad”The Cliffs of Grey” and the very appropriately named “Gloomlifter Jig”. When the Guitar enters this jig I defy anyone to not grin ear to ear. “Just One Drink” is a wonderful bar song along with “My Dark and Foamy Friend” and just about the entire album. There really is very little filler on this disc and I wholeheartedly endorse this band and any future projects. Prost!!!

Tracklist

1. We Hoist the Sail 3:04
2. My Dark Foamy Friend 5:09
3. Black Ones Brown Ones Blond Redhead 2:32
4. Basket Case 3:08
5. Just One Drink 3:49
6. Time to Make Some Changes 4:01
7. The Irish Rover 2:58
8. At Least for Tonight 4:23
9. American Dreams 5:35
10. You’ll Never Bring Us Down 3:11
11. The Cliffs of Grey 3:49
12. Gloomlifter Jig 2:53
13. Epic Scene of Life 3:10
14. No Man’s Land (The Green Fields of France) 5:16