Mad Dog Mcrea
Album: Almost Home
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.maddogmcrea.co.uk

Devonshire band Mad Dog Mcrea kick off their U.K tour on February 28 alongside the release of their third album Almost Home, which will be released on March 16, 2015.

Almost Home differs from their first two albums which had a more studio based sound, instead Almost Home has much more of an authentic dynamism - more attuned to their exhilarating live sets.

Once again Mad Dog Mcrea, alongside producer Sean Lakeman, have crafted an album that is impossible to keep still to with their 'dance demanding' tracks. Mad Dog Mcrea perfectly fuse traditional folk songs with a grittier folk rock sound, tinged with notes of Jazz and Bluegrass. As heard in the infectious hooks of 'Almost Home', 'You Can't Find Me' and 'Talking Through The Walls'. Almost Home is a yet another festival pleasing, feet stomping album to add to the collection.

From the hauntingly melancholic vocals of 'Whiskey Man', to the reflective and down-to-earth intensity of 'The Sound' Almost Home reaches new depths - from within their 'self penned songs of adventure, drinking, love and life to traditional tales of gypsies, fairies and pirates'. 'Mad Dog Coll' is the story of 20th century Irish American gangster's and Mad Dog Mcrea's vigorous version of this classic somehow reminds me of Danny Elfman's story telling 'Remains Of The Day' which features on the Corpse Bride.

Michael Mathieson (guitar, vocals), Dan Crimp (whistles & flute), Jimi Galvin (bass), Dave Podmore (bazouki & banjo), Pete Chart (drums) and Nicki Powell (fiddle) make up the irresistible and high-spirited band that together is sure to captivate your sense of adventure and life.

Fans of The Levellers, Los Albertos, Bellowhead and frankly any person with a thirst for fun should love this album.

Almost Home is definitely worth the money and if you can get tickets it will really be worth it. Having seen them twice already their gigs promise to be the most fun you've had in months.

Leah Parker-Turnock