Waxahacie Daily Light
CD Review
Any Given Element
November 2005
If all you want for Christmas is some high-powered Celtic rock and roll, you’ve come to the right place. Just in time for Christmas, Texas’ preeminent Celtic rock band, The Killdares, has released their long awaited, new, studio album, Any Given Element. This CD is more than just a great stocking stuffer; it’s an offering packed full of scorching new material with the famous Killdares’ edge. Lots of hard-driving rock complete with powerful vocals, excellent fiddling, haunting bagpipes, slick guitar and a beat that reaches out and grabs you. Put it all together and you’ve got a CD that would please any self-respecting leprechaun. But remember, you don’t necessarily have to like Celtic music to enjoy The Killdares. If you appreciate quality rock and roll, Any Given Element is going to be just what the doc ordered to cure those wintertime blues.
When you first look at the creative art that covers the CD, you’ll see some notation that might take you back to that high school chemistry class. But never fear, this isn’t your father’s periodic table at all. The art on the CD package only begs the question. The answer is found in the music. Inside you’ll find eleven songs that range from melodic to edgy to instrumental and back to rock again. The songwriting kicks it with memorable lyrics and well-crafted melodies cloaked in careful instrumentation and flawless musicianship. Still not convinced, ye unbeliever? With a four-leaf clover clutched tightly in hand, let’s take a look at the tracks and let them speak for themselves.
The album commences with rolling electric guitar and mournful violin but then everything bursts into flames and the party gets started with "September", one of the strongest cuts on the CD. The Killdares, as much of a fixture at the State Fair of Texas as Big Tex or cotton candy, previewed this track while jamming away at their home away from home on the State Fair’s Budweiser stage. This song speaks of the passing of time and loves lost as seen in the lyrics:
And it’s coming on September and I feel as though I’ve aged,
August with its searing heat, October with its rage,
And the time will quickly pass; another year has gone away,
Another season turns to ashes, turns my bitter winter into gray.
The next track, "Calendar", keeps everything rocking with some spirited fiddling by Roberta Rast, as well as Tim Smith’s intriguing drumbeat and a brief bass solo by the group’s newest member, Jim Dawson. Next up is an instrumental cut, "Farewell To Decorum", featuring lots of rocking bagpipe, fiddle and a steady drum. If you like The Electric Light Orchestra, this song will definitely be your cup of Irish tea. Listen carefully and you’ll hear Bret Lancaster’s effect-laden electric guitar adding to the mix, and don’t be surprised when someone pulls the plug and the sound fades out. This is a cool effect that you’ll just have to hear for yourself.
Following some excellent fiddle-based rock, the next song, "Dichotomy", slows things down to a melodic level with lots of Roberta Rast’s quintessential fiddling. At this point, I need to warn you about Roberta’s fiddling. Once you hear her play, you will never be satisfied with any run of the mill fiddler again. She plays so naturally and with such ease that you’ll find yourself shaking your head when comparing other lesser musicians to her. This command of the fiddle is what recently earned Roberta top honors at the Thirty-Fourth Annual Grand Master Fiddler Championship in Nashville. So when you’re listening to this CD, you’re catching some of the best fiddling in the good ole U.S.A.
"Wasted" is the next cut and it takes the album in another direction with a musical illusion to a midway carnival. The blend of the bagpipes, fiddle and guitar on this track works well, even replicating circus effects along the way. The next track, "Fragile", features some strong vocals from band leader, Tim Smith, as well as some backing vocals that really enrich the song. One of the “elements” that this album “gives” is some outstanding lead and backing vocals. More of these great backing vocals are heard on the heavy rocking tune, "Everybody Loves A New Beginning". This one has more of Lancaster’s accomplished guitar as well as some cool bagpiping from Matt Willis, a piping champ in his own right.
"Daylight (Come and Go)" is a song that will grab your attention. This rocker tells a real-life Jack and Jill story. Can a rock band pull this off? The answer is a resounding, “Yes!” There is more great guitar and fiddle here. By the end of the CD, this song might be one of your favorites. A close listening on headphones will reveal Roberta knocking out some pretty sweet backup vocals. Perhaps we might hear her singing lead on a ballad someday? Only time will tell, Celtic-rock fans.
The second instrumental on the album is "A Trip To Miss". This tune will definitely satisfy your Celtic-music sweet tooth. This cut is chocked full of more great fiddling and piping all tied together in a tight rock and roll wrapper.
The song that is next to last on the CD, "Gone West", is one of the best in the collection. This track tells the story of struggling immigrants as they strive for a better life in America. This is a straightforward rocker that doesn’t let up until the final drone of the bagpipes. Included is another skilled electric guitar solo by Brek Lancaster. The lyrics detail the story of many an immigrant:
There’s a power sleeping, nobody knows,
Years of washing other peoples’ clothes,
And took the garbage out and brought the mail,
Who swept the streets and felt no shame,
Who walked the streets and took the blame,
Sleeping but a power just the same.
The album comes to a close with a haunting little number, "Light On Paper". This song leaves room for final reflection following a number of faster paced tracks.
And there it is, Any Given Element, the latest album from the power-pop, Celtic crossover band, The Killdares. If you love both excellent fiddling and solid rock and roll, this is definitely your CD. Masterfully produced with well-written songs and skillful musicianship, Any Given Element is an album the band is proud to have made, and you will be proud to own. But you don’t have to wait until St. Patty’s Day to grab a copy. If you’re interested, visit the band’s website at www.killdares.com.