THE ESKIES

And Don’t Spare The Horses

ABSOLUTE

‘I’d Rather Be Lonely’

8/10

DUBS DELVE DEEPER DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

Comprised of 11 tales of woe, betrayal, conflict, fear and anger

– all told with a sizable amount of tongue-in-cheek humour – Dublin quintet The Eskies’ second album sounds like the best night out you’ve ever had. Dabbling with genres from folk, klezmar and yiddish to rock, swing and blues, And Don’t Spare The Horses is an eclectic, exciting effort that expands on their iconoclastic sound.

‘All Good Men’ starts proceedings strongly; it’s a raucous number that’s part Gogol Bordello, part Cherry Poppin’ Daddies. Rumsoaked sea shanty ‘I’m Not Sorry’ carries on the mayhem with aplomb, while the brass-fuelled, supremely entertaining ‘I’d Rather Be Lonely’ is an unfathomable, unforgettable fusion of the Muppets and burlesque . There are plenty of risks taken throughout and most pay off, particularly on ‘Shame’, which has deathly melodies that wouldn’t sound out of place in Jerry Cantrell’s nightmares.

‘Death To The Sentry’ is another highlight – a grim, folksy threnody about war that should see The Eskies’ stock swell considerably. Excellent.

OUT NOW // EDWIN McFEE