| · You can’t go wrong invoking the word "Guinness" or "na-na-na-na-na-naa-naa-naa" (sing along everybody!). Join these party boys for their CD release Saturday, May 29 at Brew Brothers.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that the Buccaneers are a bit of a party band. While the party band label can sometimes be a musician’s curse, this group wears it well. With upbeat lyrics, happy harmonies and bodhran-driven instrumentation, their music is perfect for inciting hoarse singing voices and sore dance feet.
For the most part, the lyrics on Basement Monkey stay firmly away from heavier subjects, instead going for a lighthearted ‘not a care in the world’ philosophy. Not only does the word "Guinness" appear one minute and 33 seconds into the first track, but the word "drunk" also appears shortly after. This seems to be a recurring theme. Yes, there is a bit of party band in the Buccaneers, and it works.
That’s not to say that these four road-weary Calgary lads aren’t accomplished musicians. Each are multi-instrumentalists, and some of Calgary’s finest players are enlisted as guests, including Mel Smith, Bobby McAlister and folk veteran John Leeder – serious musicians who know how to have fun.
Many of the songs on this sophomore album lean toward traditional Celtic and East Coast influences, and all but one of the compositions are original. The group does a fine job of recreating a more traditional sound, but can also stray towards the poppier edge of the musical spectrum.
While this foursome might be best experienced in person, Basement Monkey serves as an excellent advertisement for the live Buccaneers experience, or a souvenir of a fun night out.
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