DANCEHALL SWEETHEARTS

The band members exhibit maximum sleaze on the cover of this album, so all you ladies beware of these uptown boys! Overall, the album is good. There is no unifying theme, so each track stands as its own. Popular appeal seems to have been a consideration, especially concerning the song Stars with it punchy beat, and fist-raising sing-along lyrics. Just the thing you would expect to hear in a modern dancehall. At the same time, there is more than enough true Celtic rock to keep the listener's attention. One of the serous criticisms I have is for the muddy sound, but that might be because of the version I have - an out-of-print Outlet version my wife bought for me used, oddly, for Valentine's Day. The album opens with Nighttown Boy, a mid-tempo grungy affair - literally. The song is decent, but I find it weak, and it sets a tone that belies the remainder of the set.

This is vintage Horslips, though, and it rocks as only they can. Throughout, John Fean's guitar, Charles O'Connor's fiddle, and Jim Lockhart's organ are played very well. In fact, Lockhart's sound is one of the best I know of - it has such a rich and mellow tone. To that, Barry Devlin and Eamon Carr provide a fine rhythm section - holding the bottom and the beat where necessary while taking center stage occasionally for dramatic effect. The uncredited choir on The Blind Can't Lead the Blind adds an extra dimension to the sound, as does the uncredited horn section on Sunburst. My favorite part of the album is a three song sequence in the middle comprising We Bring the Summer With Us, the instrumental King of the Fairies, and Mad Pat. This is where the real Horslips magic comes into play, and the band sounds great. The album ends on a melancholy tone with the simple The Best Years of My Life, a reflective song that ends abruptly. Clearly, this was planned, and fits the subject of the song, but I've never really liked it when a band does that - I prefer some sort of resolution both musically and thematically, and this just left me hanging there waiting for something more.

There are a couple more songs I have not mentioned here, nor do I feel the need to do so. Suffice it to say I find this a good Horslips album, mostly outstanding but with a few disappointing characteristics. It won't win any new converts, but for the Horslips fan, it is a good effort.