Raglans

For any young band, the debut album is a very important prospect. It’s the opportunity to compile your life’s work thus far and use that compilation to introduce yourself to the world… No pressure.

Raglans are the type of band that put a lot of heart into their live shows and album opener, ‘Digging Holes‘ is a real standout live track. The video for it went viral upon release and gained a lot of support for the boys early on. It was directed by long time collaborator and friend, Finn Keenan – who also directed the video for second track ‘(Lady) Roll Back The Years’. Both tracks feature the infamous Mandolin sound and anthemic, sing-along choruses, that have become a trade mark for Raglans.

Throughout the album, you get the feeling that these boys have grown up fast and have become wise beyond their years. This idea couldn’t be reinforced more than on the track ‘The Man From Glasgow’, which is written from the perspective of an older gentleman telling a youth that they need to buck their ideas up and figure out where their life is going.

The production on the album is spot-on, flowing so well from track to track. You really take an hour long journey with the band, from their conception to now. Speaking to lead singer Ste at a recent support show with The Strypes, it came across that he was pleased with the album’s production and finished sound;

“Luckily he [producer Jay Reynolds] was brilliant and let us co-produce it, he just kind-of steadied the ship. He had the idea that the first album should sound like the band do live, especially for a guitar band like us. It’s good fun music that sounds big, aggressive and cheeky – it’s what we wanted it to be like”.

The hypnotising delayed Mandolin sound crops back up again on Before Tonight and an added horn section with some more trademark call and response chanting makes Natives another favourite. White Lightning has a 50s ‘Rock and Roll’ feel, a really hooky chorus and a solo, yes, a solo! During the band’s live show you quickly notice people at their gigs, that may have never heard the band before, pick up on the choruses and chanting along before the end of each song. I challenge you to get the chorus to Down out of your head by the end of the night.

Born in Storms is a reflective and optimistic finish to an album that it has taken a short lifetime for a young band from Dublin to compile. The album is out now and I wholeheartedly urge you to give it a listen.

I was lucky enough to catch Raglans at the Sebright Arms recently, on their headline tour of the UK and the energy they put into their performance was second to none, with a few surprises thrown in for good measure. They are playing loads of gigs and festivals across the UK and Ireland throughout the summer, including a support slot with The Libertines at Hyde Park! Be sure to catch them at one of these soon: - Iam music tv

Raglans: Raglans (IRL)
CD/DL
Out Now

8/10

Irish rock/folk four piece release their debut album. Louder Than War’s Paul Scott-Bates reviews.

When I saw the album cover to the eponymously titled debut album by Raglans, I was wary. No doubt they’ll be those blue eyed, dark haired, youths that my wife has taken a shine to after seeing Cillian Murphy in the recent BBC2 series Peaky Blinders. They may well be too, but to be fair they’ve also made a very accomplished debut.

Taking their name from Patrick Kavanagh’s poem On Raglan Road and not the sweater, their blend (and clear influences) of traditional Irish folk and The Clash are evident. They have the ability to write an incredibly catchy song as last single Digging Holes can comfortably testify with the subtle hint of the matured McFly, a compliment which they should accept, giving eleven tracks that are both precise and memorable.

In 2011, Raglans found themselves in Portugal following an invitation to work with Polecats founder, Boz Boorer who later went on to work with Morrissey. They soon released their debut EP, Long Live, introducing their indie/rock/folk to the public amidst growing acclaim.

Produced by Jay Reynolds (Pulp, The Verve) and mixed by Brian Lucy (Artic Monkeys, Black Keys), the sound of the Raglans debut is well polished. Each instrument is clearly definable and the vocals are well rounded. There are plenty of addictive chants and straplines throughout, and after a support tour with The Strypes and a UK tour of their own planned, they will soon be a name on everyone’s radar.

- See more at: http://louderthanwar.com/raglans-raglans-album-review/#sthash.T12L8UIV.dpuf - Louder than War

Hot Press
Raglans Debut album review March 20/3/2014
9/10

Hailed by both the Irish and UK press as being a band on the cusp of very big things indeed,Dublin four-piece Raglans have a lot riding on their Debut.
In fact,there has been an almost tangible weight of expectation riding on their shoulders,With many eager to see if they can take things to the next level.

Hearteningly,Raglans does all all that and more and the 11 track record is an affirmation that their last few years of blood sweat and tears haven't been in vain.

Very much Party Record and an Ode to Youth ambition and cheap cider,the band who named themselves after the Patrick Kavanagh Poem On Raglans Road rarely waste a note on the record.

Musically informed by the likes of General Fiasco,Two Door Cinema Club and Jake Bugg (whens hes not being sulky) the opus is a stellar,starry-eyed effort which has world beater all over it.

Packed with Hooks ("White Lighting"),surprises (The Guitar work on "Down" is a little Cure-like) and an infectious feeling of optimism This could be the start of something new offers Stephen Kelly on the Incendiary Digging Holes)

Raglans is one of the strongest most self-assured debuts I've heard in years if your not singing along with the sublime gang vocals on "Fake blood" and Natives withing seconds of hearing it,you really shouldn't be reading this magazine

March 21 Hot Press

Edwin Mcfee - Hot Press magazine 9/10

By MTV Iggy
June 27, 2014
Name: Raglans (Stephen Kelly, Sean O’Brien, Rhos Horan, and Conn O’Ruanaidh)

Where They’re From: Dublin, Ireland

When They Started: 2010

Genre: Upbeat Rock

For Fans Of: The Strypes, Arctic Monkeys

Sounds Like: The Clash dabbling in Irish folk

Raglans get it — you’re full of deep thoughts and important ideas. (Heck, so are they —the band is named after Patrick Kavanagh’s poem “On Raglan Road.”) But having your head in a book and thoughts set on the more important things in life doesn’t mean you can’t occasionally dance it all out.

That’s where the Irish four-piece come in. Prepare for fist-pumping choruses, sweat drenched guitar solos and anthemic moments that beg for a sing-along. Their self-titled debut full-length (out now on Independent Records Ltd.) kicks like a shot of caffeine straight to the brain, and ushers in the party mood like, well, a shot of a far stronger variety. (Did we just obliquely compare them to Four Loko? Hey, if the beverage analogy fits … ) Your night of tomfoolery may have to come to an end, but this is the kind of high-octane rock that assures the memories won’t. —Words by Laura Studarus - MTV