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Radical mestizo, indeed.  I’ve heard several rock bands, as diverse as Jethro Tull and Blind Guardian, infuse Celtic themes into their music resulting in anything from Canterbury prog to Medieval metal.  But Shooglenifty is the first band that I’ve heard consistently fuse other genres into a Celtic base.  Other bands have done it on occasion, but I’d say a solid half of this album is progressive Celtic.  The other half is enjoyable as well, and it’s noteworthy that these are all original Shooglenifty songs performed live, whereas again, most Celtic bands I’ve heard opt for a mix of relatively safe, traditional songs and originals.

Shooglenifty incorporates many different influences into their music, including blues (“She’s in the Attic”), island (“Nordal Rhumba”), and bluegrass (“Delighted”).  The highlight for me was “The Arms Dealer’s Daughter,” which begins slow and groovy, then speeds up the tempo for a lighter mood, and even includes electric guitar and industrial rock for a brief interlude.

Radical Mestizo is a thoroughly enjoyable album for anyone who likes Celtic music but is looking for something a bit more innovative.

Dan Singleton  8/26/2005