Customer Reviews

How Are We Getting Home

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When I first learned that this album would be released this summer, it was this spring at one of their concert stops on tour. They played a lot of the new tunes, all of which I loved. So, when I went to get the CD on the day it was released, I was nothing but optimistic. The first five tracks I remembered well from their concert--even after just one listening months before, they still stuck in my brain (and beware, once you hear them, you'll be humming them all day long!).

While I could never be truly disappointed with this band, I think this album is really the first where some weaknesses show. There is an abundance of new and original songs on this album, and while most are fun and witty, others (namely "When I Win") have the potential to be but fall short with flat and kind of silly lyrics. Other tracks I'm just kind of indifferent to ("Summer's Gone"). Also, in contrast to their other albums, there are fewer solely traditional instrumental tracks, which have always been a good source of energy for the band and which I miss very much.

In contrast to the weaknesses, however, there are some very obvious strengths that shine through here perhaps better than in previous albums. The slow tunes, "Tear Upon the Rose" and "An Cailin Deas Rua" are beautiful and very sensitively done. Also, bringing in Tom Brown on the pipes was a very intelligent decision, infusing some new flavor and energy into the band's sound, which is especially welcome since the departure of the amazingly talented and virtuosic Kathleen Keane from "Tree."

Overall, it's not the most impressed I've been with Gaelic Storm, but it will still be a CD that will see quite a bit of the inside of my stereo. If you are new to the band, I would recommend one of their early albums as an introduction, but for the die-hard fan, "How Are We Getting Home?" is a must-have.

...until I got a taste of Lúnasa and Kíla on the CD "Untamed: Next Generation Celtic." GS is still lots of fun and great live, but I liked them better when they played more traditional Celtic music (i.e. their first two albums). I miss the blistering fiddle solos at the end of Bonnie Ship the Diamond/Tamlinn, The Devil Went Down to Doolin, and After Hours at McGann's. There's precious little of that on this album. I recommend the Untamed CD and Lúnasa's Otherworld album (especially the medley Lafferty's/Crock of Gold/Lady Birr/Abbey Reel) for anyone looking for even more ferocious, more rollicking, super-fast fiddle, flute, and pipe action.

I've looked forward to a new Gaelic Storm CD since buying Tree in July of 2001. Hard to believe it's been 3 years since a CD of all-new material. I passed on Special Reserve as I had most of those songs already. This new CD put me in a very happy mood. The songs are fun and upbeat, completely different from most of the downer music that is being played these days. I hear echoes of the Beach Boys, the Beatles, and even Paul Simon's Graceland on some of these songs. Gaelic Storm is full of wit and humor and they are all talented musicians. I'd love to see them sell a million CD's and all become rich and famous. If any of you are reading this, please come back to Alabama for a concert.

Gaelic Storm is at their best when they are live. They put on a show not to be missed. But for those of us who have to show up at our day jobs at least once in a while, Gaelic Storm's CDs are the next best thing. The long awaited fifth album - How Are We Getting Home is, as expected, fantastic. No better than fantastic....its Gaelic Storm. Patrick and the Band have put together a great mix of songs that give the listener a real sense of just how talented and exciting this band is. Even more importantly, it is just plain fun to listen to. Although they are still introduced as the steerage band from Titantic, Gaelic Storm is certainly that and so much more. The set that makes up this album helps prove the point - yet again. True you might spill your pint while dancing to this CD, but that is nothing new for Gaelic Storm fans. There is not a bad song on the albun and they just seem to get better and better each time you listen to them....

If you love good fun music, get this album right away!! Great musicianship, humorous lyrics, and just plain good times are all over it. Do yourself a favor, BUY THIS RECORD!

This album makes for a pleasant change. There is no doubt that it is celtic in its origins but the style is not traditional. Instead, it is the work of young people singing their own songs instead of those songs of their forbears. It loses nothing; instead, something is gained.

These guys are competent musicians and good performers. They are a breath of fresh air.

Gaelic storm is one of those bands, that you just have to see to get the full experience. I saw them in Milwaukee for Irish Fest and I can't get enough. They are so personable and approachable. They don't hesitate to get on tables and dance with you or come out in the audience and sing along. Their music is fun and authentic but more, they are the kind of people that you can hang around and talk about life with. Ya just got to love 'em!

Gaelic Storm does it again!! This eclectic Irish Rock band once again pulls talents from around the globe and produced another energetic set of songs. You can't sit still or quiet when listening. They have skillfully chosen to include the talents of Nanci Griffith on "Tears Upon a Rose." Their musical talents have morphed into something new and exciting! And yet Gaelic Storm seems to keep their humbleness and rowdiness flowing along with each others musical roots.

Irish or not, If you like music you can feel in yer bones you can't pass this album up. Fun loving, raucous, raise the roof

The cd cover is hilarious! I'd love to know the story behind that.

Although I think the band is much too serious---About craic! (fun)

If you like the free-wheeling music at a late-night Highland gathering, you're going to love this CD. This is all original Gaelic Storm at their humorous pub band best. I'll mention two of the traditions they flat-out break in this CD. You can listen for the rest--and I'm certain you'll be laughing as hard as my husband and I were when we listened.

So much for the traditional love songs. Check out "Born to be a Bachelor" which almost reminds me of a parody of the old love songs:

Into town on the Saturday night,
All the b'ys go on a spree,
If you come down to the dishco,
You can have a drink with me!
With the ladies on the dance floor,
I'm a wild and crazy guy,
In me white socks and me black suede shoes,
and me thin red leather tie!

They've also warped the idea of good old Erin, when an Irishman goes to India:

I dreamed I got a letter from me darling Josephine,
She asked me would I marry her, back home in Skibbereen,
But the girls out here have almond eyes and jasmine-scented hair,
And there's things in the Kama Sutra that they never do in Clare!
So I'll spend me days relaxing in me Punjab paradise,
No more I'll dig the praties, I'll stick to tea and rice.
I'll be sippin' mango lassi with the lassies in the shade,
While yer man called Ravi Shankar plays "The Boys of the Oul' Brigade!"

The CD is good fun, maybe not their best but worth the price.

This is the kind of CD you are not embarrassed to play while your windows are rolled down in your car! This CD is so original compared to all the trash that is being heard on the radio today. "Pina Colada in a Pint Glass" is one of my favorites. This song has a wonderful traditional Celtic feel, but with a today twist. I recommend this album to anyone who loves Celtic music!