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jamietalksmusic · 10 years ago

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Chewing On Tinfoil - Marrowbone Lane

Let's jump into it.

Chewing on Tinfoil, otherwise known as my favorite Irish ska band, released this album sometime in 2013. I had first heard about this band sometime in 2009 when I discovered their first album on Jeff Rosenstocks' QuoteUnquote Records website. And it was instantly a hit (with me).

This album however finds them shedding their ska roots to make more a straight up punk rock album.

At almost exactly 41 minutes with 12 songs it satisfies the listener without overstaying its welcome.

The album's sound, as I said contains almost none of the ska roots, but instead weaves in between straight Punk, some indie rock, and some twangy folk sounds. All coming together to make a really great album.

Vocally the band has grown and can pull off harmonies really well, and the Dublin accent just adds to the charm.

Melodically, the lads have a knack for creating hard hitting yet catchy and memorable songs.

Nearly every song is an anthem, with great sing-along potential.

The production on this album is a great improvement over the previous release "Get Rich or Try Dyin'" which, despite the strengths of it's tracks, sounded amateurish. Marrowbone Lane sounds like a pro production. Keeping the balance of the vocals, guitars, bass, and drums, each having their own space in the mix without crowding anyone out.

The album kicks off with the punk rocker "Fuck Team Sports" which sets the pace of the album, which is on the upper side of mid-tempo.

On track 3 "Just Like Me" we get a guest appearance by none other than Stza Crack of Leftover Crack/Choking Victim fame (infamy?).

Even one of the slower/quieter songs "Let Me Let You Down" isn't so much of a drag. It has a fun folky guitar, and turns into sort of a (quiet) folk-rocker and picks up the pace midway through the song.

The flow of the album is nice too, it starts with the punk anthems in the beginning and by track 8 the energy hasn't faded, but has turned more folk-y (track 9 "Sons & Mothers" features a harmonica!), further demonstrating the band's change in direction.

Track 10 brings back the punk energy with the faster paced "Thick & Thicker" which is sure to get the pit moving.

Which is good because the next track, "Cutting Room Floor" is the one weak song, and even this song isn't so bad. It's the second track that has a ska feel to it, albeit a slower ska feel. But when its not upstrokes the guitars do the kind of mid/slow-tempo droning that puts me to sleep. And at nearly 5 minutes long, it is the longest song on the album, and definitely feels that way. But I'm sure there are people who can dig this type of song. It's just not my cup o' tea.

But it's OK! Because the last song "Marrowbone Lane" is one hell of a closer. Putting together all the elements of the album, the folkyness, the punkyness, and the Irishness to make a top notch song. It actually would make a real good drinking song, as the song closes with gang-vocals singing

"I'm OK

As long as you're OK

and I say it every single day"

Seriously I can just see them ending a concert with this, stopping the instruments and just singing the last lines and the crowd singing along like one big drunken mess.

And there you have it.

There's really not much more to say other than this is a great album by a great band, and if you like punk, rock, or Ireland you will (probably) like these guys.

and one last thought, I bet these guys put on a deadly show. (did i use it right?)

9/10 lads, 9/10.

http://quoteunquoterecords.com/qur068.htm

#chewingontinfoil #marrowbonelane #albumreview #punk #irishpunk

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