Pubside Down,
Keen on Green
(self-produced, 2003)

Pubside Down's debut album Keen on Green is a predominantly instrumental, traditional Irish-based album from the Swiss group. Recorded in a day and a half soon after losing their lead singer, the album has a very spontaneous feel to it and the energy of a live show is captured in the studio.

The vocals on two songs are a bit lacking in finesse, but Stefan Marti does an admirable job of stepping in at the last second. The group is Geri Halder on bass, Simone Battig on flute, Adi Bucher on drums, Barbra Marti on fiddle and the aforementioned Stefan Marti on guitar and vocals.

Most of the pieces are traditional instrumentals. They are well arranged and bring forth some extraordinary performances from the players. A very nice version of "Toss the Feathers" is included. However, as this is the millionth recording to feature a "fresh new totally unique" version of a song made popular by a pop group, and had been recorded fairly often even before that, I can't get too excited. Instead I wonder, since "Toss the Feathers" is "Toss the Feathers" pretty much no matter how you slice it, why don't they go out and find a new piece to fill the slot instead? I realise that traditional music is a finite body of work, but it is still very big. This is not a criticism solely aimed at Pubside Down, in fact it is aimed less at them than at many of the newer artists who insist on playing pieces they found on other people's recordings. They should dust off their library cards and go look through some of the vast quantity of songs and tunes that are being preserved in books, but that nobody plays because it is easier to come up with a "fresh new version" than do a little work and come up with a new piece.

Having had my say on that matter, I really enjoy this album. The playing is fantastic and very energetic. Their love of Irish music clearly shows. The majority of the pieces are traditional and were new to me (despite my rant above) as they do seem to have made an effort to not record the same old fiddle tunes. The musicians are all extremely talented. The flute and fiddle trade off nicely throughout the album, each at times taking the lead and occasionally playing together.

My gripe with an otherwise excellent album is the more-than-occasional use of rock songs as bridges between tunes. Though they aren't listed in the track index, the press material mentions a Red Hot Chili Peppers song, "Eye of the Tiger" and possibly a guitar solo from Iron Maiden. Why?!

In the great tradition of Irish music, they have included a drinking song. "I Can't Dance..," by S. Marti, is a happy, bouncy song for the guy in every pub around the world who just has to dance after one too many and crushes your toes. The song is good fun and, perhaps a bit ironically, makes you want to dance.

In fact, the entire album is great for a good whirl about the room. It is fun, energetic, well-played Irish music that even the harshest critic of traditional fare would enjoy. And it is fantastic to see such high quality Irish music coming from a place not often associated with the style. This is a great album to put on at a party and let your feet lead you away!

- Rambles
written by Jean Emma Price
published 15 May 2004

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