Tortilla Flat "Forward to the Past"
Release date: November 3, 2017
Running time: 43:25, 12 tracks
Tortilla Flat (Lagenthal, Switzerland) have just released their 7th album, “Forward to the Past”. Their brand new recording has been produced by the band and their longtime producer Mauro Grossud (he has been working with Tortilla Flat since “At the Tavern”, their album from 2005). The title track is obviously related to the movie “Back to the Future”. One of the tracks is an ode to the vinyl singles (“45 r.p.m.”) and several old songs have been revisited too.
There are different groups of songs on “Forward to the Past”. First of all, three instrumentals can be heard, the opening track and the last two tracks on the album. I feel that more instrumentals should be written by Celtic punk/rock bands and therefore I’ve enjoyed Tortilla Flat’s efforts. “1946” is a kick-ass intro featuring bagpipes (The Independent Pipers) and accordion (Asi MacHasi). The traditional tune “Bear March” kicks off with powerful pipes and then the Ramones infused rhythm section joins. The closing number “When the Roses Start Growing Black” is a poignant number based on acoustic instruments: guitar, accordion (Asi MacHasi) and fiddle (Christine Sdiri).
The second bunch would be the songs that were previously recorded. Original versions of “Tough Love” and “Don’t Ask Why” can be found on Tortilla Flat’s debut album “In the Grip of the Grape” (1996). The Independent Pipers give a new lease of life to those old numbers. “Tough Love” is an interesting song whose sound reminds me of Bob Dylan. Christine Sdiri also guests on “Don’t Ask Why”, a mid-tempo punk pop number.
Usually Celtic punks bands tend to cover the same songs. Fortunately, Tortilla Flat have chosen a couple of fresh songs. Phil Coulter’s “The Town I Loved so Well” is a killer track. It differs from other badass renditions (The Devils Advocates and California Celts), as it gets the Tortilla Flat’s pipes and Ramones treatment. “Seven Drunken Nights” is one of The Dubliners’ greatest hits. A previous version can be found on Tortilla Flat’s fifth album “A Trainload Full of Stout”. Nevertheless, the fans will prefer the new pipes arrangements.
Tortilla Flat showcase a quieter side on “Forward as One” and “You Thought You’d Get Away”. Both of them could be filed together with some Black Tartan Clan's songs.
Finally, three tracks have the Tortilla Flat’s trade mark. “The 45 rpm” was the first single and “F.U.C.K.U.” the second one. They are Ramones infused catchy songs. But my fave is the excellent “Little Wild Rose”.
“Forward to the Past” will be available on vinyl in December 2017, but digital copies can be bought now from the main retailers. BTW, the album cover has been made by Frankie from The Rumjacks.
Track listing:
01 - 1946 1:22
02 - The 45 Rpm 3:50
03 - Forward as One 3:33
04 - The Town I Loved so Well 4:53
05 - Tough Love 2016 5:10
06 - F.U.C.K.U. 4:01
07 - Little Wild Rose 3:09
08 - You Thought You'd Get Away 4:16
09 - Seven Drunken Nights 4:15
10 - Don't Ask Why 2016 3:59
11 - Bear March 2:17
12 - When the Roses Start Growing Black 2:12
Website
Facebook
Soundcloud
Click to buy:
iTunes
Release date: November 3, 2017
Running time: 43:25, 12 tracks
Tortilla Flat (Lagenthal, Switzerland) have just released their 7th album, “Forward to the Past”. Their brand new recording has been produced by the band and their longtime producer Mauro Grossud (he has been working with Tortilla Flat since “At the Tavern”, their album from 2005). The title track is obviously related to the movie “Back to the Future”. One of the tracks is an ode to the vinyl singles (“45 r.p.m.”) and several old songs have been revisited too.
There are different groups of songs on “Forward to the Past”. First of all, three instrumentals can be heard, the opening track and the last two tracks on the album. I feel that more instrumentals should be written by Celtic punk/rock bands and therefore I’ve enjoyed Tortilla Flat’s efforts. “1946” is a kick-ass intro featuring bagpipes (The Independent Pipers) and accordion (Asi MacHasi). The traditional tune “Bear March” kicks off with powerful pipes and then the Ramones infused rhythm section joins. The closing number “When the Roses Start Growing Black” is a poignant number based on acoustic instruments: guitar, accordion (Asi MacHasi) and fiddle (Christine Sdiri).
The second bunch would be the songs that were previously recorded. Original versions of “Tough Love” and “Don’t Ask Why” can be found on Tortilla Flat’s debut album “In the Grip of the Grape” (1996). The Independent Pipers give a new lease of life to those old numbers. “Tough Love” is an interesting song whose sound reminds me of Bob Dylan. Christine Sdiri also guests on “Don’t Ask Why”, a mid-tempo punk pop number.
Usually Celtic punks bands tend to cover the same songs. Fortunately, Tortilla Flat have chosen a couple of fresh songs. Phil Coulter’s “The Town I Loved so Well” is a killer track. It differs from other badass renditions (The Devils Advocates and California Celts), as it gets the Tortilla Flat’s pipes and Ramones treatment. “Seven Drunken Nights” is one of The Dubliners’ greatest hits. A previous version can be found on Tortilla Flat’s fifth album “A Trainload Full of Stout”. Nevertheless, the fans will prefer the new pipes arrangements.
Tortilla Flat showcase a quieter side on “Forward as One” and “You Thought You’d Get Away”. Both of them could be filed together with some Black Tartan Clan's songs.
Finally, three tracks have the Tortilla Flat’s trade mark. “The 45 rpm” was the first single and “F.U.C.K.U.” the second one. They are Ramones infused catchy songs. But my fave is the excellent “Little Wild Rose”.
“Forward to the Past” will be available on vinyl in December 2017, but digital copies can be bought now from the main retailers. BTW, the album cover has been made by Frankie from The Rumjacks.
Track listing:
01 - 1946 1:22
02 - The 45 Rpm 3:50
03 - Forward as One 3:33
04 - The Town I Loved so Well 4:53
05 - Tough Love 2016 5:10
06 - F.U.C.K.U. 4:01
07 - Little Wild Rose 3:09
08 - You Thought You'd Get Away 4:16
09 - Seven Drunken Nights 4:15
10 - Don't Ask Why 2016 3:59
11 - Bear March 2:17
12 - When the Roses Start Growing Black 2:12
Website
Soundcloud
Click to buy:
iTunes
Review by Kinksmarkham
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