CD REVIEW: THE RUMJACKS – Sleepin’ Rough

CD REVIEW: THE RUMJACKS – Sleepin’ Rough
Four/Universal
September 2016
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
7/10

The Rumjacks tread similar ground to The Dropkick Murphys: celtic punk where the melody and aggression push and shove each other around like drunks trying to get last orders in before the bell rings.

There’s a distinctly Aussie feel to The Rumjacks which sets them apart from their international counterparts, and on album #3 they successfully inject a bit more of their ferocious live energy into the grooves.

From the striking cover image to the multi-instrumental soundscapes (tin whistle, mandolin and all manner of not-your-usual punk rock percussion all feature), to the lyrics full of social commentary, astute observation and disaffected bile, everything about The Rumjacks in authentic and dangerous.

Fistful of Roses is the standout track her, a boiling pressure cooker of a stomper which although reminiscent of The Murphys, still sees The Rumjacks giving it their all and winning.

Category: CD Reviews