SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE MARY WALLOPERS – THE MARY WALLOPERS

The Mary Wallopers
The Mary Wallopers
Independent

The Mary Wallopers hail from Dundalk, Ireland and consist of brothers Charles and Andrew Hendy, and Seán McKenna. They have been described as a contemporary Irish folk band, but, I think this is an incomplete description of the band. Yes, they maintain many of the folk music traditions of Irish trad music, but like so many classic bands such as The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers, and Planxty, they put their own spin on the trad aspect and come up with a fantastic, exciting, and fresh sound. They are connected to the history of Irish music, but are not afraid to bring their unique voices into the mix. The Mary Wallopers is their debut album. They have built a substantial following in Ireland due to their touring and have released a very successful debut EP. They built their own pub in their home to replicate sessions and called it, Stay At Home With the Mary Wallopers.

This album contains beautifully sparse arrangements of not only traditional songs, but also covers of songs that have not been around as long as one would think. In the hands of The Mary Wallopers, the energy and urgency of the songs come out in full force. It is quite a remarkable feat.

These are songs of survival and of dealing with oppression; they are defiant. Their cover of Domenic Behan’s “Building Up And Tearing England Down” is a perfect example. Thanks to moving arrangements, the song brings a lump to the throat while clenching a fist. These songs tell stories, and a small sliver of Irish history. The lyrics serve as a reminder but also a lesson. Danny Doyle’s “John O’Halloran” is a perfect example. The story of leaving Ireland for money elsewhere (in this case England) is not a new story but holds profound resonance. And like so many stories, things do not work as planned. “Soon Sergeant Death will call me home and he’ll take me by the hand. Far from Tralee town lay my body down in this god-forsaken land.” With Andrew Hendy’s voice, and distinct bodhrán playing, it again cannot help but move the listener.

Their originals on the album feel canonical, despite being new. “The Night The Gards Raided Owneys” tells a wonderful story of a shebeen being busted by the police. On another great tune, one of the singles from the album, “Frost Is All Over”, they get some help from Lankum’s Radie Peat. The whole album is full of stories and wonderful music, expertly arranged and performed. Some credit must go to their producer as well, Chris Barry who does not seem to tamper with their sound. They are also able to go from rousing songs (“Frost Is Over”) to sadder ones (“The Butcher Boy ”, which features such delicate instrumentation).

The Mary Wallopers is an impressive debut. It concludes with the rousing and fun “All For Me Grog” which leaves the listener smiling. This is much needed after the first 10 songs. The Mary Wallopers are young and influenced by the sounds they grew up hearing, but are equally influenced by punk, post punk, and rock. But one genre does not give way to the other. Instead, they infuse their music with their attitude and energy. The Hendy brothers have a side project, TPM, a political comedy rap duo that is explicitly political (TPM is short for Taxpayers Money). Listening to the two bands, one would not immediately suspect they share the same members. But, it makes sense when one listens to The Mary Wallopers, for they aren’t restrained by genre or aesthetics. They’re able to sing comical songs as well as deeply harrowing ones, both holding resonance in the listener – for they understand that music is for dealing with life’s joys and pains, and this album is a testament to that.

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Additional Edits/Writing By Linda Badgley