ALIENS

Oddly this was my first encounter with Horslips some five years and 6 or 7 albums into their career.

I bought it on the recommendation of an NME review of the record, which stated that Jim Lockhart's flute reminded the reviewer of Ian Anderson's flauterings (is there such a word!!!).

So I purchased a second hand copy (as I always did) just in case it was awful. But no. It wasn't, it was a 4 star album in BarryGlibb's mind and heart .

I had obviously missed the sequence of albums that lead to "Aliens"; each LP prior had told some sought of tale re Irish history and "Aliens" was based on the Irish emigration to America largely due to the potato famine in Ireland in the mid 19th century. Most of the tunes are based around the Irish in New York.

OK the stand out tracks: "Speed The Plough"....how good are the vocals? Horslips have 3 lead singers all of whom can sing and Johnny Fean who would have to be the most underated guitarist in the history of modern music has one of the most gifted voices that you would ever want to hear. How could so much talent be unknown to the general public? "Sure The Boy Was Green".....simply one the most brilliant songs ever recorded. "New York Wakes" - Charles O'Connor shines as lead vocalist, almost punk prog. Try not to sing along in gusto I dare you. It is an awe inspiring composition. These above 2 songs are in my faves of all time. Get them and play them loud. "Exiles" - Johnny Fean you genius "Ghosts" - beautiful in all departments.

"Second Avenue" is good but I am afraid they should owe royalties to Ian Anderson and Martin Barre here. The riff is a direct copy of Jethro Tull's "Teacher".

There are a few low points but on the whole it was such a great introduction to Horslips.

I then went and purchased all of their back catalogue plus their new releases until they disbanded in 1980 momentarily (for 25 years or so) and now I think I am their most ardent supporter in the world (maybe!).

Share this HORSLIPS review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to BarryGlibb
• Report this review (#393710)
• Buy HORSLIPS music online with PA partners
• Show all HORSLIPS MP3/Stream
• Go to HORSLIPS page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Aliens page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for HORSLIPS related discussions