Rackhouse Pilfer
Love and Havoc
Review by Sarah Swinburne
Rackhouse Pilfers’ second album Love and
Havoc was released in March 2014. Their last
album Back to the Country was an impressive
showcase of their rootsy Americana charm.
There have been some minor line-up changes
in the interim, but this has not made any
difference to the quality or style of the music.
While their debut album chiefly characterised
a sense of frantic and utterly enthusiastic
dancing songs, Love and Havoc moves in a
new direction. The spontaneous and unstudied
aura of their first album still remains, but now
tempered with a much more mature, laid-back
sound. This latest effort also includes some
original work; a change from the assortment
of covers which comprised their last record.
The first track on the album Dust on the Road
gets off to a crisp and rousing start. This song
is a move away from the structural base of the
last album, which presented as five soloists
playing in tandem. Dust on the Road however,
plays more like a traditional singer plus band
arrangement, which is in keeping with the
genteel style of bluegrass espoused by this new
album. The vocal effect therefore, is no longer
muffled and buried under the instruments, but
rather given centre stage as an instrument in
its own right. This new approach to the vocal
style is continued throughout the record,
notably in Bright Lights, which showcases a
more sophisticated method of introducing
backing vocalists. A strong Sligo accent can be
clearly discerned in this track, which has the
effect of grounding the song in a relatable and
familiar place. Gone is the shout-along feel to
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Colorstone
3.0
Steam
Review by Sarah Swinburne
3.5
the debut album, the backing singers are
instead given distinct harmonies with which to
contribute to the communal and collective
impetus of the song.
The change in vocal methods is not the only
modification made to Rackhouse Pilfers
sound. Lyrically and stylistically, they have
developed a sincere and genuine warmth
which bolsters and complements the more
dance and movement driven elements to their
repertoire. Songs like Angela, Fallen Leaves,
Lorraine and A Sailing Song all demonstrate a
burgeoning profundity, whether it be the
nostalgic Fallen Leaves or the adoring and
affectionate Calico Sky (incidentally both
penned by violinist Fiachra Cunningham).
Two Oceans and Another Dirty Joke, both of
which distinctly channel The Band with their
quintessentially twangy and loose style, add to
the well-roundedness of the album. The final
song I’ll Find a Way is definitely one of the
highlights of the record. Addictive and
memorable, it has all the elements of a classic.
It could be said that Rackhouse Pilfer are
taking steps to become a more serious and
thoughtful outfit.
They have moved away from that recordedin-a-barn sound, and morphed into something
slicker and more polished. The tunes are still
endlessly infectious an [