Barleycorn Bastards "Hops & Dreams"
Release date: May 1, 2016
Running time: 13:58, 5 tracks
Barleycorn Bastards are a five piece band hailing from Nijmegen, The Netherlands. The band was established in 2013 and the line-up is Sid (guitar, vocals), Maarten (tin whistle, vocals), Martin (drums, vocals), Niels (bass, shouting) and Elmar (banjo, backing vocals). I had never heard of them, but recently the guys from London Celtic Punks posted on their facebook that Barleycorn Bastards were touring England. Then I found that they had released a 5 track EP in 2016. I was really impressed and therefore I decided to write an EP review.
The Barleycorn Bastards EP is titled “Hops & Dreams” and is based on covers. However, the lads have chosen songs that are not overexposed (tracks 2 and 4) or have given a new spin to some well-known standards (tracks 1 and 5).
The first track on the EP is “Nancy Whiskey”. The Barleycorn Bastards' approach reminds me of an Australian band that I reviewed some months ago, Sailors Grave. Apart from that, the tin whistle gets an “in yer face” treatment that reminds me of The Skels.
Some people will be familiar with the next number, “Bully Boys”, as it was featured on the "Robin Hood" movie with Rusell Crowe and ex-Great Big Sea member Alan Doyle plays this song on their brand new album. Electric guitar, banjo and tin whistle will make you enjoy this cut.
The following song, “Banjo Breakdown” is a fast-paced number with yeeha shouts and addictive banjo and tin whistle.
The banjo starts slowly on the shanty “Coast of High Barbary”. But the band goes mental on the second half of the song which is led by a manic tin whistle.
The last song on the album is “All for me Grog”. The banjo intro sounds similar to a song by their fellow countrymen Drunken Dolly, but the song evolves into a Dutch answer to The Skels.
“Hops & Dreams” is available as a Name Your Price download on Bandcamp. Besides, three songs are on rotation on Celtic Folk Punk radio since November 2.
After having listened to this brilliant EP, I’m looking forward to hearing the debut album by these lads.
Track listing
1. Nancy Whiskey 02:09
2. Bully Boys 02:19
3. Banjo Breakdown 01:43
4. Coast of High Barbary 03:49
5. All for me Grog 03:48
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Click to buy or DOWNLOAD:
Bandcamp
Release date: May 1, 2016
Running time: 13:58, 5 tracks
Barleycorn Bastards are a five piece band hailing from Nijmegen, The Netherlands. The band was established in 2013 and the line-up is Sid (guitar, vocals), Maarten (tin whistle, vocals), Martin (drums, vocals), Niels (bass, shouting) and Elmar (banjo, backing vocals). I had never heard of them, but recently the guys from London Celtic Punks posted on their facebook that Barleycorn Bastards were touring England. Then I found that they had released a 5 track EP in 2016. I was really impressed and therefore I decided to write an EP review.
The Barleycorn Bastards EP is titled “Hops & Dreams” and is based on covers. However, the lads have chosen songs that are not overexposed (tracks 2 and 4) or have given a new spin to some well-known standards (tracks 1 and 5).
The first track on the EP is “Nancy Whiskey”. The Barleycorn Bastards' approach reminds me of an Australian band that I reviewed some months ago, Sailors Grave. Apart from that, the tin whistle gets an “in yer face” treatment that reminds me of The Skels.
Some people will be familiar with the next number, “Bully Boys”, as it was featured on the "Robin Hood" movie with Rusell Crowe and ex-Great Big Sea member Alan Doyle plays this song on their brand new album. Electric guitar, banjo and tin whistle will make you enjoy this cut.
The following song, “Banjo Breakdown” is a fast-paced number with yeeha shouts and addictive banjo and tin whistle.
The banjo starts slowly on the shanty “Coast of High Barbary”. But the band goes mental on the second half of the song which is led by a manic tin whistle.
The last song on the album is “All for me Grog”. The banjo intro sounds similar to a song by their fellow countrymen Drunken Dolly, but the song evolves into a Dutch answer to The Skels.
“Hops & Dreams” is available as a Name Your Price download on Bandcamp. Besides, three songs are on rotation on Celtic Folk Punk radio since November 2.
After having listened to this brilliant EP, I’m looking forward to hearing the debut album by these lads.
Track listing
1. Nancy Whiskey 02:09
2. Bully Boys 02:19
3. Banjo Breakdown 01:43
4. Coast of High Barbary 03:49
5. All for me Grog 03:48
Click to buy or DOWNLOAD:
Bandcamp
Review by Kinksmarkham
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