The Dun Ringles

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The Four Chessmen - A Review How do you top Giraffic Park ? Here's how in 12 easy steps.

 1) Fish and Education - from the Pepperesque beginning with Ringo shouting ' aye aye cobh ' to start the proceedings this opener just drives on like a chuggernaut. you just know from the outset that the band have moved up a gear, the lyrics are tighter, the production is clearer, the playing more accomplished. a lively riff from Jason underpins the whole thang and the leadbreak smokes sgadans.

2) Das Boot - a genuinely moving song about an old boot. economical top notch lyric, superb atmosphere, wonderful hook. Robin's hammond organ/house mucus keyboard and the punchy bass give the song true feeling. chust when you think it can't get any better comes an instrumental from heaven. lovingly handcrafted by master craftsmen. a truly astonishing track and possibly the Dun Ringles finest achievment to date.

 3) At The Wheel - one thing you'll notice listening to the cd is the well thought out running order, with nicely contrasted mood and pace. from the atmospheric straight down to business with some ' heads down, no nonsense mindless boogie '. with shades of Swedish TV's ' Big Hair ' this is one to rock you bobban socks off. i get tired just listening to the exploits of thon lorry drivers racing to catch the ferry.

 4) In The Night - the pace slows again for this acousticee mellow number complete with backwards geetar solo. a pause for breath after a breakneck start to the cd.

 5) The Mane Man - a nice light touch with this tribute to the head Honcho man with a Peter Frampton-esque geetar solo to boot.

 6) Sea Chain - and back down to the serious business. the most Ringleish sounding track on the cd. another great riff and solo from Jason with a big noncholant chorus.

7) Gallows Hill Rooks ( On The Lookout For Crooks ) - possibly the greatest rhymes ever gathered together for a chorus. the best example on the cd of the Dun Ringles trademark use of local subject matter, they make me believe that the CCTV cameras in the town might chust be unecessary. I'll never look at a crow the same way again.

8) Frost - evocative vocal effects bring to life this tale of coldness, nice touch. subtle geetar work and sweeping keyboards over a laid back beat, mmmm nice.

9) Carved In Wood - a bit of a dance beat, the Dun Ringles are never afraid to embrace new sounds and this eclectic mix of influences gives them a truly unique take on this mucus thang. another great lyrical painting, chess pieces wandering off, priceless.

10) Wee Womble Getting Scared By The Balantrushal - chust beats those Rooks to the best song title on the cd award. revisiting the seemingly endless supply of Scout-influenced songs this up tempo number with semi-rap vocals and more smokin' geetar from Jason actually makes sense when listened to along with the lyric booklet. weird and unsettling deliberately slightly off-key chorus brings the monster theme to life.

11) Break Away - continuing the chess motif this bluesy number boasts a lazy, echo-laden vocal from Wattie with some nice licks from Jason and a wild fade-out.

12) Fir Chlis - a very strong closing number. beautiful intro awash with harp awoken by some mental rockin' out. settles down again with some great acoustic geetar work. an epic track, a wonderful ending. Memphis Louie - April 2004