Flat as the Earth

Here's a welcome surprise from Belfast: traditional Irish music filtered through an easy-going 1960s West Coast vibe, with a splash of bluegrass, a hint of Caribbean zest, husky Feargal Sharkey-like vocals and caustic lyrics that burn with righteous indignity even while flaring into joyful displays of tune-making. Flat as the Earth announces the debut on disc of a foursome with much to say and the means to say it. Think Kíla in less adrenalised mode, the Luke Kelly-era Dubliners at their most poetic, or Tom Petty in poetic mood. That's Lonesome George, a quartet with the ‘spirit of rebellion,’ infusing lyrics that deal with the unpardonable refugee crisis enveloping Europe on the acidic, accusatory ‘Mercy’, environmental catastrophes and anti-consumerist diatribe. Joe Campbell-McArdle (guitar), Myles McCormack (mandolin) and Stiofan Loughran (flute and whistles) all step up as vocalists while Dermot Moynagh provides driving bodhrán and percussion. Sterling support comes from Jack Kelly (upright bass), Paddy McKeown (tenor banjo), Ben McKenzie (fiddle) and Brendan Loughran (concertina). What results is something truly special.