****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
In Ireland, Horslips is known as the first Irish rock band to make it big (You wouldn't have U2 if it wasn't for Horslips blazing the trail). In America, they are known by a small but very loyal group of fans as the rock band that *should* have made it big! From 1972 to 1980, they put out several remarkable albums by creating a rock/irish fusion that was geniunely exciting. It was a weird experience to hear a fiddle and a heavily distorted guitar in the same song, such as in one of their earliest songs, "High Reel."I only got into their music just as they were breaking up. As the decades rolled by, I was saddened that they never performed together. I assumed a Horslips reunion was just never going to happen.But now finally, the guys are together again as they take another stab at some of the classics in their song catalog. The results? Very, very good. A bit laid back but good.When you listen to the first track, "Trouble with a Capital T" your first thought is, why isn't this playing on the radio? It's a great song and sounds very contemporary. On some songs, you do miss the energy (and electric guitar) in the original versions but overall, they have put together a very strong album.The bonus CD contains audio and video files of songs they performed live in 2004. Fun to watch for fans. And, yes, they do look a tad older!In terms of production, "Roll Back" is first rate. The mix makes for a great listen. If only the albums from the 70s sounded this good!If you've never heard a Horslips album before but are curious, this is a good introduction. Give it a try. But, be careful, you could get hooked!
