A great re-think of classic Horslips songs
S. O. Baldrick | Undisclosed location, USA | 02/05/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In Ireland, Horslips is known as the first Irish rock band to make it big (You wouldn't have U2 if it wasn't for Horslips blazing the trail). In America, they are known by a small but very loyal group of fans as the rock band that *should* have made it big! From 1972 to 1980, they put out several remarkable albums by creating a rock/irish fusion that was geniunely exciting. It was a weird experience to hear a fiddle and a heavily distorted guitar in the same song, such as in one of their earliest songs, "High Reel."
I only got into their music just as they were breaking up. As the decades rolled by, I was saddened that they never performed together. I assumed a Horslips reunion was just never going to happen.
But now finally, the guys are together again as they take another stab at some of the classics in their song catalog. The results? Very, very good. A bit laid back but good.
When you listen to the first track, "Trouble with a Capital T" your first thought is, why isn't this playing on the radio? It's a great song and sounds very contemporary. On some songs, you do miss the energy (and electric guitar) in the original versions but overall, they have put together a very strong album.
The bonus CD contains audio and video files of songs they performed live in 2004. Fun to watch for fans. And, yes, they do look a tad older!
In terms of production, "Roll Back" is first rate. The mix makes for a great listen. If only the albums from the 70s sounded this good!
If you've never heard a Horslips album before but are curious, this is a good introduction. Give it a try. But, be careful, you could get hooked!"
Celtic Treasure
Roger D. Hyman | Knoxville, TN USA | 01/28/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been a Horslips fan since 1977, when I discovered "Aliens" while working in college radio (WRVU/Nashville==Vanderbilt Univ.). A friend who was familiar with "Book of Invasions" suggested I try that, and I was hooked. "The Man Who Built America" confirmed for me that Horslips was absolutely a first-rate band. I later moved on to professional radio for a couple of years, and did my best to help their exposure with as much airplay as I could arrange.
Fast forward thirty years; I've collected all of the Horslips' remastered CD catalog (they're all awesome, as far as I'm concerned), and have given several of their CD's to friends and family as gifts. A few months ago I discovered "Roll Back". I cannot recommend this CD highly enough. It is NOT a "Greatest Hits" repackaging; all of the tracks are new arrangements by the band (ca. 2004), and I'm very pleased to report that the years have been VERY kind to these guys. Their musicianship is frankly much better now than it was even back then, and the new arrangements show a wonderful acoustic side to the band, and to my American ears the tracks recorded here seem to consciously portray their Celtic heritage; this is Irish folk music (with a modern sound and feel) at its absolute best.
Horslips was always Ireland's BEST rock band (at least until U2 came around), and as I'm a confirmed U2 fan as well, to me it's no shame to be even "second place" to U2 . . .!
For the "old Horslips" fans out there, if you haven't tried this new complilation yet, don't wait another minute. These new arrangements will really grab you; when I first got the CD I played it through three times in one day, and it still sounded fresh and alive on the third playing.
And if you've never heard of Horslips. . .give this a try, and then you might delve into some of their catalog. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1