Search - Gaelic Storm :: How Are We Getting Home

Not their best, but still a must-have for GS fans

Stacey Peterson | MN, USA | 08/06/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When I first learned that this album would be released this summer, it was this spring at one of their concert stops on tour. They played a lot of the new tunes, all of which I loved. So, when I went to get the CD on the day it was released, I was nothing but optimistic. The first five tracks I remembered well from their concert--even after just one listening months before, they still stuck in my brain (and beware, once you hear them, you'll be humming them all day long!).



While I could never be truly disappointed with this band, I think this album is really the first where some weaknesses show. There is an abundance of new and original songs on this album, and while most are fun and witty, others (namely "When I Win") have the potential to be but fall short with flat and kind of silly lyrics. Other tracks I'm just kind of indifferent to ("Summer's Gone"). Also, in contrast to their other albums, there are fewer solely traditional instrumental tracks, which have always been a good source of energy for the band and which I miss very much.



In contrast to the weaknesses, however, there are some very obvious strengths that shine through here perhaps better than in previous albums. The slow tunes, "Tear Upon the Rose" and "An Cailin Deas Rua" are beautiful and very sensitively done. Also, bringing in Tom Brown on the pipes was a very intelligent decision, infusing some new flavor and energy into the band's sound, which is especially welcome since the departure of the amazingly talented and virtuosic Kathleen Keane from "Tree."



Overall, it's not the most impressed I've been with Gaelic Storm, but it will still be a CD that will see quite a bit of the inside of my stereo. If you are new to the band, I would recommend one of their early albums as an introduction, but for the die-hard fan, "How Are We Getting Home?" is a must-have."

I used to think Gaelic Storm was the best...

M. Ghilarducci | PA, USA | 06/01/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"...until I got a taste of Lúnasa and Kíla on the CD "Untamed: Next Generation Celtic." GS is still lots of fun and great live, but I liked them better when they played more traditional Celtic music (i.e. their first two albums). I miss the blistering fiddle solos at the end of Bonnie Ship the Diamond/Tamlinn, The Devil Went Down to Doolin, and After Hours at McGann's. There's precious little of that on this album. I recommend the Untamed CD and Lúnasa's Otherworld album (especially the medley Lafferty's/Crock of Gold/Lady Birr/Abbey Reel) for anyone looking for even more ferocious, more rollicking, super-fast fiddle, flute, and pipe action."

Most eagerly awaited title of the year

Paul C Chandler | Sylacauga, AL United States | 08/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've looked forward to a new Gaelic Storm CD since buying Tree in July of 2001. Hard to believe it's been 3 years since a CD of all-new material. I passed on Special Reserve as I had most of those songs already. This new CD put me in a very happy mood. The songs are fun and upbeat, completely different from most of the downer music that is being played these days. I hear echoes of the Beach Boys, the Beatles, and even Paul Simon's Graceland on some of these songs. Gaelic Storm is full of wit and humor and they are all talented musicians. I'd love to see them sell a million CD's and all become rich and famous. If any of you are reading this, please come back to Alabama for a concert."