Clarity

I tried so hard not to like the old-fashioned folked-up sounds of Mid Ulster’s The Rapparees. I also tried to remain stony faced when confronted with their large helpings of fiddles, banjos and whistles that call to mind the more delicate moments from The Pogues back catalogue, but you know what? Resistance is futile in the face of this collection of Irish traditional-laced anthems. They mightn’t be the coolest band in the world, but they do know how to craft a great tune and that’s something that will never go out of fashion. All in all, a welcome surprise.