Green Blood
Metalville, 2018
8/10
This 3rd studio album from The O’Reillys and the Paddyhats is nothing if not a good time, as banjos, mandolins, accordions, a blues harp and many other instruments work together on this Celtic and punk fused effort.
The title track starts the listen with a strong Irish influence surrounded by gang vocals, thundering percussion and a throbbing display of melodic punk, and “Another Town Another Girl” follows with an anthemic quality where memorable choruses highlight the tuneful approach.
Closer to the middle, “Swing Your Hammer” takes the bouncy route with a dance friendly appeal where a banjo and fiddle leave an impression, while “Promise” leads cautiously before bursting into an Irish fueled rocker. “Greg O’Donovan”, one of the album standouts, then builds into a swift journey with its proficient rhythm section where a whistle or flute like instrument adds greatly to the appeal.
Near the end, “Rockstar” benefits greatly from female vocals as guitars drive the landscape , and “Yesterday’s Rebel” exits the listen hard hitting but plenty melodic in the thumping finish.
If names like The Pogues or Flogging Molly mean anything to you, The O’Reillys and the Paddyhats should also be in your collection and in regular rotation.
Travels well with: Dropkick Murphys- Signed And Sealed In Blood; Street Dogs- Savin Hill