CD Review- Gutter Anthems

Enter the Haggis is prime example of what I think of as a new subset of the Celtic Rock world. In recent years, many of the bands who have grown a grassroots base of loyal fans at Irish Festivals and Highland Games in addition to their local pubs have morphed their music into something so much more than just jigs and reels with amps and wah wah pedals. I'm not really sure what to call this subset, inhabited by this band along with the likes of Seven Nations, Bad Haggis, and the Young Dubliners... but I like it!

Gutter Anthems, the newest release from Enter the Haggis, would stand up on any mainstream radio's playlist alongside the likes of Dave Matthews, Keith Urban, Nickelback, and The Fray. One might puzzle over the eclectic mix of comparisons, but the fact is this band's music could be played in streams of rock, pop and alternative country. The pipes, whistles, accordion and fiddle are still here in the music, as one would expect from a "Celtic Rock" band. But listen closely: the way these instruments are being utilized might be a little different that what you are accustomed to. The band smoothly blends elements of Celtic music with rock, pop, bluegrass, and even jazz, developing their own unique sound.

Lyrically, Brian Buchanan and Trevor Lewington have not gone stale. They made astute social observations in tracks like "The Litter and the Leaves" "DNA," and "Broken Line," share nostalgic memories of life growing up and on the road in the very personal "Suburban Plains" and "Sea of Crutches," and remember their roots in "Noseworthy and Piercy."

The tracks stand up on their own, but also fit well with the band's previous works of social anthems, ballads and sing alongs. I was fortunate enough to hear some of the songs from "Gutter Anthems" live at a show near Cleveland recently. The band played a range of songs and tunes from their past recordings as well, reaching as far back as their CD Aerials. The playlist flowed together smoothly with old music and new, and I'm happy to say the songs from this new CD are as enjoyable live as they are on my iPod.

I recommend that folks pick up this CD along with a couple of other Enter the Haggis CDs, if you don't have them all already. Their collection, listened to in order of release, is a wonderful example of how an independent band can yield something fantastic from their roots if they can survive long enough to grow. Every CD is worth listening to on it's own, but they just keep getting better and better.

Irish writer Oscar Wilde is credited with saying "We're all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." Gutter Anthems is one of the stars in the constellations brightening the night.