By Shanda Block/entertainment editor
The Celtic rock band, Enter The Haggis, has released its seventh album, Gutter Anthems.
With a start of playing Celtic festivals, ETH has progressed to touring the East Coast, West Coast and Canada. It’s also had television appearances on such shows as Live with Regis and Kelly.
ETH has been together since the members met in the early 2000s when the majority of the members were studying music in Toronto universities. Coming from that background, the band continuously elaborates on its sound in unique ways.
For those who enjoy a good, hardy instrument, ETH even uses bagpipes. Their instrument mash-ups and melodies bring to the table a sound unlike just about any other.
Gutter Anthems offers another example of this interestingly odd band and what it can do. Its song “Broken Line” has a good message of being your own person and standing your ground no matter what others say or think. It also has a good ratio of an upbeat speed added to a slowed down speed with gorgeous piano playing at the end of the song. The instruments in general, like violin playing with the piano, add a nice touch.
“Suburban Plains” captures the listener with a catchy tune and lyrics. The lyrics reminisce about old summer days with a good friend or possibly a lover.
“Murphy’s Ashes” starts out with an upbeat tempo that’s good to the ears. Vocalist and guitarist Trevor Lewington’s guttural guitar and varied instrumentalist Craig Downie’s puffing bagpipes give it a Celtic bounce of sorts. The track is all instrumental but well done.
The main audience for Haggis is the type that likes Celtic music and a continuously evolving band. Even without falling in that category, though, the album is worth a shot.
