SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE MARY WALLOPERS – PADDYWHACKERY

THE MARY WALLOPERS
PADDYWHACKERY
BC RECORDS

The Mary Wallopers, the pride of Dundalk, Ireland are back with their third album, and first since 2023’s Irish Rock N Roll.  A lot has changed since 2023, most notably, a founding member, Seán McKenna left the band, and now the current line-up of The Mary Wallopers is Charles Hendy, Andrew Hendy, Ken Mooney, Róisín Barrett, Finnian O’Connor and Catriona Gribben. What has not changed is their ability to make traditional Irish music very current. This is a band that continues to write and record within the traditional framework, but who have grown since their debut, self-titled album in 2022. Paddywhackery is an album that is to be celebrated for both lyrics and music. It is a brilliant and powerful album.

The album was recorded over a two-week period in Liverpool with producer James Skelly. Wisely, Skelly lets the band loose, and the end result is a blast of energy for just under 33 minutes. While the music comes from Irish roots, this is not the music of The Dubliners or The Bothy Band. The Mary Wallopers mix punk rock in with the traditional instruments. As a result, the music sounds deceptively like folk, but really it is closer to punk.

SPILL FEATURE: SOMETHING TOO IRISH – A CONVERSATION WITH CHARLES HENDY OF THE MARY WALLOPERS

Lyrically, as with a great deal of Irish folk music, the songs are angry protest songs, with a little humour sprinkled in. But with songs like “Landlord’s Demise” or “Worker’s Song,” there is no humour, but rather very strong lyrics about the plight of the Irish working class. Although, people throughout the world will be able to identify with the sentiment expressed in these songs. Even a song like “Banks of the Roses” (which expertly channels The Pogues), seemingly is more of tale than a protest, has a bite to it.

The music is tight and well played. This band knows their way around their respective instruments and are well versed in Irish style. Even though the songs are expressing very serious situations, one can be forgiven for tapping one’s foot and feeling the need to move or dance. In Mary Walloper’s world, neither is exclusive. One can enjoy the music while understanding the seriousness of the world. But that is also part of the tradition. Ireland is famous for some of the most beautiful and joyous melodies wrapped around their rebel songs.

The Mary Wallopers have created their own, new rebel songs (such as “The Crown”). And while there are no songs about Molly Malone wheeling her wheelbarrow, there are stories and well written lyrics that express and explore the current and historical sense of being Irish. It is a complex album, but damn entertaining and if you are not careful you may find yourself learning a thing or two with these rocking Irish songs. By far Paddywhackery is The Mary Walloper’s strongest album, and they continue to show that new music can be created in an older and historic form.

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