The Mahones
The Very Best: 25 Years Of Irish Punk
(Sailors Grave Records)
The Mahones are a Canadian Irish-punk band, formed in 1990 by Dublin-born Finny McConnell, as a one-off band for a St. Patrick’s Day party. Encouraged by a positive reception, McConnell decided to pursue the band full-time and I for one am thankful. I have seen this band numerous times when I still lived in Canada, mostly in small venues and have talked to Finny many times…..as well as raised a glass with. I really can’t believe that it’s been twenty five years now… do I ever feel old, but good times and memories.
On this collection we are treated to twenty one tracks that have been re-recorded for this collection, and that is why I didn’t give them a perfect score of 5/5, I loved how the originals sound and the different feel that each album had and would really show off the evolution of this band, but this way, you get to hear how they sound the way that they play them now. I did like the collection and the new recordings are pretty good, lots of energy and you can hear the progression of the band since the beginning, but I do miss the originals… ok, enough of me beating the dead horse. The band just seems to get tighter and more punk rock, if you can believe that, since most bands get wimpier and lose that edge, this band got sharper. The songs are a great mixture of fast-paced drinking, pogoing songs mixed with some slower songs to grab your sweetie and sway back and forth, so you will be able to keep most of your beer in the glass. Basically this is a party on a CD and as soon as you hit play, you have everything you need, minus the beer(s) for a great night. The songs are catchy, played with the love and energy that gets under your skin and gets you pumped up, and you can hear the emotion and dare I say, sweetness in Finny’s voice on the slow songs. Yes, even a raspy voice can be a little sweet.
This is an album that both long time fans and people that are trying to play catch up should buy and make sure that you buy some beer when you get this album. A great compilation/collection of great songs that stand up with the best bands, mostly because this is one of the best Irish punk bands around. LONG LIVE THE MAHONES!
Purchase The Very Best: 25 Years Of Irish Punk on iTunes.
