The name Black Water County, and the album title of The Only Life Worth Living, suggests a certain Celtic punky vibe, and on this occasion this is an album that does exactly what it says on the sleeve. This is unapologetically in that vein and all the elements you either love or hate, depending on your opinion of Celtic punk, are present and correct. Personally I don’t tend to nail my colours to any mast, I’ve seen numerous Celtic punk bands, I’ve been down in the pit for the best of them and stood at the back wishing they’d fuck off for others. What ingredient attracts me to some and not to others I have no idea, but I would say that I tend to prefer it when it’s punk with Celtic elements rather than sounding like The Dubliners with a distortion pedal. So with that in mind I’m heading into Black Water County.
Black Water County are a band who are celebrating a decade together and the album’s title track is a serious statement of intent, furious punk verses with singalong Celtic punk chorus, this is swiftly followed up by Cruel State Of Mind that sticks to the template of the opening track with a Celtic infused punk burst of energy. The frantic punk side does dominate much of The Only Life Worth Living with further pit ready pint spilling cuts on display such as Escape, Disasters, Questions, The Archives, Before Things Get Worse and the life affirming closing track, Limelight. The frantic Celtic punk is an almost ever present, but anyone who knows anything about this section of the punk world will know that this is not the end of the story.
The punk energy does give way to the folkier side where the Celtic elements rise to prominence. A brace of tracks do give you time to catch your breath or replenish your pint, dependent on your needs. Here We Are Again initially appeals to the genre’s gentler side, but then builds to a rousing finalè. It is however the heartfelt ballad, Second Guessing, that also features Creeper’s Hannah Greenwood on vocals, that brings a tear jerking moment of calm. For me it’s one that feels slightly out of place amongst the whirling dervish that constitutes the majority of the album. That’s not to put this tender track down, it just feels a bit conspicuous given the life affirming Celtic punkiness on offer elsewhere.
There are obvious comparisons for bands that fuse Celtic elements to punk fury, you know who they are, I know who they are, most people reading this knows who they are, so there’s no need to name them, but if Celtic punk is your thing then you need to head over to Black Water County. This is in the most part a frantic dancing and drinking ready album, and if I was a betting man then I’d put my savings, which is not a lot, on these songs being best experienced live, possibly with a pint clutched in your hand, but that is by no means a put down to what is a solid album for those who are Celtically inclined.
The Only Life Worth Living is set to be released on the 3rd November and will be available on eco-friendly vinyl, with every copy being unique, limited edition orange vinyl, cassette, CD and digital, alongside a new range of merchandise. Physical pre-orders are available here and digital pre-saves can be made here. To coincide with the album release, the band will embark on a headline UK tour with tickets for all dates available here. Black Water County will also play a hometown date at Bournemouth Old Fire Station on Saturday 16th December, the only show where they will be performing their new album in its entirety, complete with special guests, live strings and brass.
