Eskies - After the Sherry Went Round

  by Malcolm Carter

published: 6 / 9 / 2016

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Review

After doing the festival circuit this summer and just about to embark on a tour of Britain, the Eskies release their debut album in Britain, the album having been out in Ireland for some time. Not having caught the band live and only hearing them on this disc reveals one sure thing; if they can kick up this kind of storm in the studio then anyone who has caught one of their festival appearances must still be recovering from the experience. The five-man band (accompanied on ‘After the Sherry Went Round’ by Lord Henry’s Little Big Band) is a love or hate band. You’ll either be captivated by their mixture of…well everything really, or find the music they make too unruly for the most part. If you’re one of the former who likes their music with more than a little abandon, then welcome to your new favourite band. The thirteen original songs are presented in a fitting sleeve complete with lyric booklet. More than a little thought has been afforded to the presentation of these songs, which makes for an eye-catching package. As for the music, anyone who has caught the Eskies live will probably be wondering if the band can capture the energy I’m sure they project on stage on record. The answer is yes; this album almost melts the player. The Eskies, even on disc, sound like the perfect party band. Despite lyrics concerning revenge, murder, fear and general mayhem the actual music crosses many barriers. Described as being a brand of folk, gypsy jazz and sea shanties just about scratches the surface of what this band of merry men are capable of. While they are far from the first band who sing about the darkest corners of life to tunes that make you want to drink, get drunk and have a good time while singing along, they are among the best at what they do, even though this is their debut album. It’s good-time music despite the darkness and fear in many of their lyrics. Lyrically sharp and astute, songs like ‘Chin Up Jack’ would maybe drive the message home more affectively for some if dressed in different clothes musically but the fun would be taken away then. This is a group of songs that even when the lyrics are detailing the flaws of the system, painting a grim picture or taking you to places you wouldn’t willingly usually go, will still have you dancing or at the very least sitting at the table with a pint with your foot tapping waiting for the courage to get up and dance. The short instrumental title track would have you believe that maybe you’ve stumbled onto the wrong album (or gatecrashed the wrong party), it’s a subdued piece, brilliantly played, the melancholy brass adding to an already bleak yet beautiful scene, then as it segues into the first track proper, the aptly titled ‘When the Storm Came’ there’s little doubt that you’ve entered Eskie world, as the rousing sing-along gathers pace. Vocals that sound like too many years of smoke and whiskey have had an effect still manage to ring out loud and true, full of passion and backed by a band who are living in the moment and enjoying every second of playing these songs. Despite the, at times, almost shouted lyrics the harmonies are, as expected, impressive and musically the band are tight as you would expect from all the live shows. Although there is a musical thread running through the album, sea shanties put through a gypsy/folk blender, the band add other elements to their sound, ‘Jesus Don’t Save Me’ adds a touch of gospel to add yet another shade, while songs of the calibere of ‘Tear Along The Line’ where their pop leanings are only partially hidden while still not totally deserting their roots, prove that there’s more to the Eskies than initially meets the eye. ‘After the Sherry Went Round’ is an impressive debut. Given that the band inhabits a genre that is hardly overcrowded, they’re like a breath of fresh air and have captured much of the energy they surely must create on stage on this record, which is no mean feat.

Track Listing:-

1 After the Sherry Went Round
2 When the Storm Came
3 Fever
4 Eloise
5 Tear Along the Line
6 Down By the River
7 Chin Up Jack
8 Jesus Don't Save Me
9 Heave Away
10 Wild, Wild Heart
11 Thelma Erve
12 Rapture and Revelry
13 Jailhouse Sun

Band Links:-

http://www.theeskies.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheEskies
https://twitter.com/TheEskies
https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/the-eski
http://theeskies.bandcamp.com/