The Wages Of Sin “Gringo Mariachi” (My Checkbook Records, 2008)

Like a party in your living room

With energy akin to Shaun McGowan and the Pogues, The Wages Of Sin swing into action in frenetic fashion as they combine Celtic music with punk rock, rockabilly, bluegrass, and sea shanty fare (21st century style) in an embracing and often delirious fashion.

Immediately you place this album in your player you will, I guarantee, be like me and taken with the energy of The Wages Of Sin. Other than a jolt or two, Wages, as they cover a wide range of music the ride are never less than entertaining — or when it boils down to it, quality. For high points you need go no farther than the whirlwind paced 'New Orleans Eulogy', focussing on the life of country rock legend Gram Parsons it holds the listener attention with it’s well written lyrics. Plus of course the band’s typical, feel-good shot of adrenalin.

Merging the waters of old and new 'Black Lung' has it all, and like with others like it the listener is well served, songs like 'Portrait Of An Evangelist' that possesses oodles of Celtic influences.

Breaking off with mandolin, fiddle, banjo, upright bass and go-for-broke drumming, 'The Righteous Stranger' offers an infectious chorus, and like with a tune straight out of a St Patrick’s Day celebration party. The Drunkard’s Prayer, the music and entertainment rush forth in a joyful devil may care fashion not to be denied!

Listening to The Wages Of Sin is like having a party held in your own living room. While as if to prove they don’t have to be downing whisky at a rare rate of knots, the boys do on occasions slow things down, as in 'Bible & A Gun'. The next cut, 'Razor In My Pocket' picks up where they had previously left off as they sing of how it might have been many years go under British rule living and drinking etc in Galway Town. Years before Steve Earle had discovered the west coast city of tribes. Keep on rocking, boys — and don’t forget the humour!

Date review added:  Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Reviewer:  Maurice Hope
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  www.thewages.com