Review—Goitse:Tall Tales and Misadventures

From Irish Music Magazine, July 2014:

For those who have avidly followed the musical growth of the band Goitse from their conception in the University of Limerick’s Irish World Academy of Music and Dance to the stunning potential shown in their self–named debut album might have thought they had then peaked when they garnered well–deserved acclaim with the shoot through success of their, Donal Lunny produced, second album Transformed. Well those peaks have now been smashed to pieces as the innovative quintet move musical mountains on their imaginative, new album Tall Tales and Misadventures.

The group have forged a reputation for inventive arrangements and the attention to detail with regards to the instrumental conversation is evident from the opening throes of the first track Tall Tales where the driving energy and precision of beat instantly captivates before changing tack with an effusive, percussive frenzy as the melody soars frenetically over an anchored base. The exquisite combo of bodhrán, piano and strings on the intro to 619 denotes homage to percussive timing that flavours an almost orchestral collaboration of sound. The marriage of piano with the ethereal tones of Áine McGeeney’s vocal on Ye Lovers All is delivered with emotional sincerity and the backing vocals of Kieran Munnelly add to the captivating flavour as the instrumental backdrop highlights the intriguing lyricism of Carrick–a–Rede.

With guest participation from the double bass of Martin Brunsden, the talent of Áine McGeeney on fiddle and vocal, Colm Phelan on percussion, Conal O’Kane on guitar and banjo, James Harvey on banjo and mandolin and Tadhg Ó Meachair on both piano and piano accordion shines through individually but what makes this a standout is the band’s ability to utilise the best of their individual creativity to intuitively break new barriers with their instrumental. With Tall Tales and Misadventures, Goitse have taken their expressive landscape of sound to a whole new level.
 Eileen McCabe

Source: http://www.irishmusicmagazine.com/releases/releases-july-2014/