Album Review: Ispíní na hÉireann, Poxtail Soup

In case you weren’t paying attention, Ispíní na hÉireann means “sausages of Ireland”. Certainly, there’s plenty of nourishing meat on their new album, as they blend faithful runs at a selection of Irish songs and tunes, while energising them in their own rambunctious style.

The Dublin-based punk-tradders come with a line-up of Tomás Mulligan (lead vocals, guitar) Paahto Cummins (vocals, banjo), Pádraig Óg Mac Aodhagáin (sax, pipes, flute), Aongus MacAmhlaigh (vocals, cello, fiddle), and Declan Gillen (drums, bodhrán).

Opening song ‘Mo Shéamuisín’ blends echoes from a distant past with a menacing modern feel, and a spirited “fuck art, let’s jig” attitude. Before making way for an energetic ‘Rakish Paddy’, ‘Johnny Jump Up’ delivers a warning about the pleasures and dangers of alcohol, with a dash of sarcasm to go. Sharon Shannon joins the fray for two feisty slides, ‘Eileen Ní Riordain’s’ and ‘The Kings Of Kerry’, and there’s a provocatively slow, dramatic version of ‘Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya’, with sturdy drums, flutes and fiddles.

This 18th century Cork ballad was “borrowed” by post-war American folkies, but Ispíní na hÉireann have snatched it back and given it a lusty make-over.

Thus, the sausages of Ireland are not overburdened with subtlety, but Poxtail Soup is full of mayhem, desperation and magic.

8.5/10