We don't usually do music reviews here on Rethinking The World, but, since this is a new album by a great local group, and I wanted to archive the review I did, here it is: 

Kansas City Celtic rockers The Elders declare themselves as being purveyors of “arse-kicking music from the heartland”. Their fifth studio album, Gael Day, gives loud testimonial to their self-assessment. The strength of this album lies in the ability of the band to write songs which blend great melody and harmony, a pulsing beat, a jaunty tempo, and a fantastic storytelling voice.

The ‘Gael’ in the album title refers to the study of things Gaelic. As is expected with Elders albums, each song tells a story based around Irish topicality in the largest sense. Generally speaking, the tunes on this album share those Irish characteristics with the musical attributes mentioned previously.

The strongest songs on Gael Day are its hardest rockers. Extra credit goes to track 2, “Only Good News”, a rhythm-heavy number which admonishes you to “bust out a move, shut off that evil tube”, and think and do for yourself, to live your own life and not take the word of a bunch of talking heads. Another track worth special attention is track 10, “Ashes In A Jar”, a rocking tune which memorializes a woman who worked to bring together Irish Republicans and loyalists. “Luck of The Irish”, the third track, starts out with lush vocal harmonies, then strongly emphasizes drums and percussion, while wondering “where on earth did that phrase come from?” “Decoration Day”, the fourth track, features a scorching guitar solo, and a storyline which follows the struggles of immigrants coming to this country (incidentally, frontman Ian Byrne, a native of County Wicklow, has filed paperwork to become a U.S. citizen). The fifth track, “King For A While” is the story of a guy who gets in over his head with a spirited woman, with a lead vocal by guitarist Steve Phillips. “Kathleen”, track 8, is a story of a woman who loses her man and tries to resurrect him which features nice vocal harmonies. Track 11, “The Ghost Of Ontario”, is the story of a phantom ship wrecked by a vengeance-seeking whale, which accentuates more fine vocal harmonies and a heat-generating guitar solo by Phillips. The last track on the album, “Galway Girl”, is a fine and lively cover of a Steve Earle tune (all other songs were penned by Byrne, Phillips, bassist Norm Dahlor, and violinist Brent Hoad).

Fans of Celtic rock music across North America, in Ireland, and now in Europe have adopted The Elders as favorites in large part as a result of their energetic live shows. With their dynamic new album, The Elders have that much more material with which to please their audiences. Listen to Gael Day and open up this boisterous can of Celtic whoop-arse.