All For Jolly – All For Jolly

When I first heard the name and read the bands PR, All For Jolly conjured up thoughts of Black Water County, Shanghai Treason and Crazy Arm. So having the opportunity to listen and give you all my thoughts on the bands latest album, was always going to be an interesting and hopefully enjoyable experience. Having only been around for a mere six years or so, this is a band that has a huge breadth of influence to draw from when it comes to Celtic Folk Punk, question is, does this album put this band into the headlights of all those many fans of this genre.  Let’s see what I thought, liked or didn’t like about it, and then maybe you should go listen and make your own conclusions with a little insight.

That difficult album is what they say about the second in line, but listening to an All For Jolly album whether it be first or second is far from difficult, the party starts right from the off, the self titled opener (intro) is like a pirate ship setting sail for blue seas with its crews belly’s full of rum. ‘On We Row’ kicks straight in after, with an angst filled Pirates Of The Caribbean vibe, but what sits even better with myself is its all for one and one for all punk stance.

If you were lucky enough to listen to the first album, Jollyroger, what stands out immediately as you fall into ‘New Era’ is the heavier rock guitar that’s used to great effect, it adds another layer to the bands sound that very welcome, ‘Pass The Mead’ is another song that takes that angrier sound to tell a folk tale with so much extra feeling. I think what I’m trying to say badly, is that this is a much fuller and exciting album than the first, the use of musical weaponry is much meatier and rewarding. That’s not to say this is simply a rockier version of the last, far from it, this is an album that just plugs any holes that may have not allowed the ship to circumnavigate the globe, now its set for world travelling and beyond.

A couple of other stand outs to set your ears to, would be ‘Sword & Crown’ a stunner of a track, and the brilliant ‘Oh My’. Then when you’re good and ready, you can ‘Get Rid Of The Shit’ move on and live for now, drop the hangers on that drag you down and at the same time sing along to your hearts content. Are this band ready to do even more than before now? Seems so!.   This is a very tough genre to navigate, but this is a Galleon filled to the brim of high grade rumtastic odes to life and crimes.

The album is out now…… check out the bands WEBSITE FACEBOOK SPOTIFY