The Last Revel – Gone For Good
Dressed in a fairly plain CD package with just a handsome horse on the front panel, the music enclosed is melodic & radiates with a soft glow. Lots of fiddle sawing, banjo plucking & energetic vocals in the tradition of Great Big Sea, Arcade Fire, The Dropkick Murphys & Mumford & Sons. Not always as aggressive as the Dropkicks, they do have a unified vocal assault that runs naked between the lightning-fast notes that spill from the guitars, banjos & fiddles. “Solid Gone” is a sparkling opener, catchy & sweeping, while “Go On” is the incendiary tune. You can almost see the smoke coming off the strings. Exciting stuff? Yes, absolutely.
There are 10 simplistic bluegrass/folk titles with no imagination from The Last Revel’s Gone For Good (Drops July 18/Hassle House Records/Thirty Tigers/32:48), their 6th studio album. But the foursome makes up for the generic titles with strong, diversified vocals, harmonies, hand-clapping melodies, & balladry that’s comfortably compelling. Nothing’s predictable. They take care in composing some slick songs with an even slicker sound. “Jealousy” is a melancholy, mournful melody, yet it’s sung with impeccable sincerity.
The band has their well-fused moment with a fiddle-tight rocker “Simple Wheel,” a bit grittier vocal, the thrust is extreme with exuberance. Good instrumental interplay by the musicians. Makes it all the more intriguing. The unit has an abundance of creativity. I listened more than once & found that nothing drags, nothing’s dull – it’s all spirited. It sounds like a bunch of seasoned musicians, but they’re young, expressive players.
The group gets a little too enthusiastic & dramatic with “Tall Grass,” but so what. For the most part, they maintain their traditional folk-driven melodies with 3-part harmonies & fun, fun, fun. They’ve written some well-disciplined lyrics & their love for the music is obvious in each composition.
Produced by Dave Simonett & recorded in Cannon Falls, MN. This American band would certainly turn the heads & tug the ears of Irish & Scottish audiences.
Musicians – Ryan Acker (vocals/guitar/banjo/multi-instrumentalist), Lee Henke (guitar), Vincenzio Donatelle (fiddle/vocals) & Lauren Anderson (bass/vocals). Featuring Eamonn McLain (cello on 2 tracks).
Highlights – “Solid Gone,” “Go On,” “Jealousy,” “Simple Wheel,” & “Until Death.”
Color image courtesy of Chris Murphy. CD @ Bandcamp & https://www.thelastrevel.com/