warblefly

Here they come again, the drinking, shouting, jig 'n' reel crew, whose last effort caused much cheer and merriment with boozy, good time, up-for-the-audience rowdiness. So, this one got lifted from the envelope first, slapped in the machine smartly, appetite already whetted.

The press release accompanying was blunt and to the point, this is a collection on which they've girded their loins, pushed a new line-up and written 14 songs that play to their strengths and various inspirations. Count amongst the latter, heavy metal, beer, ska, beer and beer and Frank Zappa! Cue more roaring, lots of dancing, witty lyrics, yet a clutch of material that in many ways nods to traditional songs: form, setting, theme, all carry a line that, straight or meandering, leads back to folk. So, cue songs that tell you to be an individual by relating tales of daring dos, daring don'ts, wild nights and how the world is changing not always for the better. You could call it protest or finger-pointing material if it wasn't for the lusty clatter and general rock 'n' reel; this is social conscience fighting for its right to party.

At eight strong then, with added instrumental colour, strong messages and bags of spirit - both liquid and intentional - here is almost an hour of sheer roustabout and jubilation. It ain't subtle, it ain't always pretty, but somehow it works! Warble on Warblefly.

Simon Jones - fRoots

Sticks two fingers up at the establishment and says with a glass of beer in their hand that they’ll play how they damn well like.

Amazingly without a record company, this band is a prime example that you do not need corporate management to help you release an outstanding album. This is actually their fourth album, and what an achievement it is.

It has to be said that deep influences from The Pogues certainly appear in Warblefly’s music but it sounds as though Shane McGowan and co have been let loose in the local brewery and were allowed to take a wide range of narcotics with them due to the frenetic quality of this bands’ playing ability. Although the opening few moments of Cheesy Bits sound romantic, these thoughts are soon eradicated due to the track progressing onto some frenetic playing which is just outstanding. A purely instrumental track, this sounds quite like The Dubliners but played after the band ingested something hallucinogenic. Warblefly in my Beer begins quite upbeat and classy and contains lyrics ideal to sing along to whilst drinking a whisky or two. Although not having seen them live, I’m sure that the crowd enjoy this immensely as such an occasion must be quite stupendous.

Their fourth album and still not signed? I do wonder sometimes and question why those in charge of running record companies refuse to acknowledge a band such as Warblefly, as they really are missing a golden opportunity to work with certified geniuses. Roll on the next album! RH - Maverick Magazine

I was barely halfway through this CD and I was online ordering the two previous albums. I am glad I did – they’re bloody good, too. Warblefly are currently an eight-piece who have evolved with an ever-changing line-up, from being a banging folk-rock band in the mould of Levellers, The Pogues and The Men They Couldn’t Hang, to emerge with their own style and make an album of wholly original material.

Their songwriting is clever, a craft honed over the decade they’ve been together and the songs are often lyrically harsh and explicit – ‘Your Fist, My Face’, ‘Sack of Seeds’ and ‘Shoplifter’ are prime examples. The first two are love songs, albeit rather skewed, and the third is a biting comment on modern small-town life while ‘Underwater Breathing Competition’ is about unwillingly growing older and loosing friends: ‘Hope fades and flies are drawn to her’. Nasty image. Great, but nasty.

Warblefly are big and loud but not raucous. Their instrumentals show their Celtic roots; firmly in the traditional idiom and often surprisingly delicate – like parts of ‘Cheesy Bits’ (another good title). They should be huge and I’ll be very upset if they aren’t.

Dai Jeffries
- RocknReel

"Tenerife to Dover" is the 4th full length from the UK based Warblefly and the 3rd we've reviewed here at Shite'n'Onions - folk, roots and punk with a groove played by PHD types with drink problems is how I?d best describe Warblefly and they don't stray from the sound that made previous releases so good (though I do love the ska grove on "shoplifter" as well) and as with previous release "Tenerife to Dove"? isn't an immediate release and it takes a few spins to get into - but its worth it and with each spin you'll discover more nuggets of genius. - Shite'n'Onions