3 Drink Minimum

3 Out of 4 Pints Agree...

     

When you step into an Irish pub, you’re looking to have a good time. If you’re listening to an Irish band in said pub, they should be having a good time. On the Stout Pounders new album, 3 Drink Minimum, they effectively harness all the energy of a live show into 14 tracks of solid music. In fact, I can imagine what it might be like to spend an evening with them. You’d probably wake up the next day in another state with a headache and a new tattoo in an embarrassing location.

The album is nicely arranged with a combination of old folk songs, fiddle tunes and a few originals in there. Besides the great energy, the playing is accomplished and the singing is solid. I enjoy it when the whole band jumps in, sea shanty style, on some of the choruses (Molly Malone, Spancil Hill, etc). Johnny Jump Up is told in a clever way with different singers for the various characters in the song. My favorite song is “She Begged for More” with a little play on the words of the classic song “Si’ Beag Si’ Mo’r”. Genius! Run Paddy Run finishes off the CD on a nice upbeat note.

I had the opportunity to see these guys live at the Galway Bay Irish festival last year, and they were dynamic and entertaining. I wondered if they would be able to pull it off on a recording, and they did not disappoint. This is a CD you want to have in your collection. Oh, and can someone tell me how that dolphin ended up on my shoulder?

-This review was posted by Jason Hohl at 67music.net/reviews. Jason is a contributing writer for 67 music and member of the Portland Celtic band Sons Of Malarkey.