Album Review: Blagmatic

One of the more anticipated albums this year was Blaggards‘ Blagmatic that came out over the summer. The purveyors of “Stout Irish Rock” have been perfecting their ways for 15 plus years now. Originally known as a cover band who took songs and turned them more into Irish rock songs, I do believe this is the first album where we have original songs from the band, but don’t quote me on this. This was a big deal to the Inn since we could only play their versions of traditional tunes, so added music is always a pleasure.

A reminder on how we do reviews on the show. I write my thoughts here as I listen to the album; in a sense what you’re reading is a stream of thought from yours truly. I am in no way qualified to give my opinion but as the Proprietor of the Inn I do feel duty bound to do reviews of the bands, for the bands and for our listeners as well. I also don’t appear to have a set way in how I do these reviews so expect track name, thoughts, and a score. At the end the scores are averaged to get the overall rating.

Moonshiner: They start the album off giving you what you expect from the band, a traditional song in their Stout Irish Rock fashion. The guitar riffs on this are particularly nice. I believe it does a great job of showcasing Patrick’s vocals as well, a great primer if you are unfamiliar with the band. It’s also produced beautifully and a great starter. 4

Spanish Lady: It’s always funny with seeing a Spanish Lady as some will expect to hear Spanish Ladies, which of course is a completely different song though some do write it as Spanish Ladies, hence the confusion at time. Once again we have a traditional song done in their style which is a treat as I find this can be at times performed too slow. We get that fiddle action on this, which is a nice treat. 4

Sweet 16: Our first original song by the band on the album, and there is a stark difference between this and the first two. I am getting a real Stray Cats feel from the song, which I’m digging as it’s not something I think they do very often. It has an alarming, warning quality that feels like a father fearing his daughter getting close to that age and the worry that comes with it. 4

Deliah: A Tom Jones classic is up next and it’s an excellent change of pace. I think Patrick shines in this song as he gives it that storytelling feel that the lyrics demand of it. It is triggering some memory in the back of my head of another song, and I’m not sure if it’s the original or another song, but it’s there. Not saying it’s good or bad, I just notice it. Around 2 minutes there is an instrumental break that is quite interesting, almost a rock tango. 4

Rain or Shine: We come upon their second original on the album. Where the song really picks up is when we get to the chorus, it is quite catchy if albeit short. My complaint is that the vocals are a bit more muddy than on the previous songs, I’m not quite understanding them as the song goes on. The song is going a bit all over, which I THINK has to do with what is happening lyrically, I’m just not catching it. 3

PLFM: Now I’m cheating a bit, as I know what comes next, but this slow beginning of the song lures you into a this sense of that mid-album slow song; and it’s far from it. Welcome to the song where you’re going to sing along with at any Blaggards you go to. Their third original song on this album; and maybe inspired by some of the shows and audience they have in town. A great pirate song without sounding like a pirate song if that makes sense. 5

Wild Rover: One of the most well known traditional Irish songs, at times to its own detriment. There are some who cannot stand this song, it can be the “piss break” during a set. However I find that it’s because so many do it the exact same way wherever you go, this is a refreshing change. The uptempo, the slight changes, inclusion of various instruments make it a refreshing change to a classic. 4

2nd Worst: Another original from the band, we again come to that Stray Cats/Brian Seltzer feel. By title alone you have no idea what to expect. How does one describe it, the reverse of a love song? But not one of hate, more of the old Johnny Cash style with the comparisons if that makes sense. Lyrically it is a great little number, at least it tickles the cockles of my black little heart. 4

Wagon Wheel: Not to be confused with that other song with the same title, but if memory serves it’s about life on the road. The star of this song as all the instrumentation that is going on; multiple instruments all having their time to shine. A quick little number which is quite fun. 3

Spancil Hill: A favorite traditional song of many, and one the band has finally put to album. This is always a hit live as this is a great arrangement by the band. Often done in a far slower manner, this is a perfect example of Stout Irish Rock. An almost Guns N Roses feel with the big guitar solos at different points in the song. I think this is a great encapsulation of their ability to take a traditional song and make it their own. 5

Lights of El Paso: The last song of the album, and their last original, gives us that Metallica/Slayer feeling that have led some to give Blaggards the title of Blagtalica. The opening is killer, there is no other way around it. I do find I am having similar problems with it as I had with Rain, lyrics at times just get lost in the music. When you do get them, they’re great, especially if you’ve ever been to El Paso. 4

If this is what we can expect from the band going forward, a few covers and some original, we are in for a real trick. Whether it is from knowing what works for them, finding that grove or inspiration, this is their best album to date. It has that Stout Irish Rock feel you’ve come to expect; but to go from years of covers to half the album being originals and fitting right in? Excellent work.