Words like “original,” “creative” and “energetic” are often tossed around when talking about The Righs, the Oklahoma City metro’s only Irish-American Folk-Punk band.
Formed as The Rivers in the late summer of 2005, The Righs have been slowly sowing their seeds around the Oklahoma music scene.
In 2007, the band found itself going through many changes. While the guys didn’t play many shows due to the coming and going of many different members, they accomplished many creative goals.
After having him as a sound guy at a show in OKC, the band teamed up with Chris Harris to record their debut album at Bell Labs (owned and operated by Trent Bell of The Chainsaw Kittens and favored studio of The Flaming Lips) and Chris’s own Atomic Sound, both in Norman, OK.
While recordings the album, the band realized that it was due for a new, original name. In the summer of ’07, the band officially became The Righs (“Righ,” pronounced “rig,” means “king” in Gaelic). In turn, they decided that their first album should be named The Rivers Run Deep in honor of the band’s original name.
While the band has obvious influences from the scores of traditional Celtic and Celtic-Rock music out there, such as The Pogues, Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys, the band sets itself apart by incorporating styles from the members many different walks of life.
From fast-paced Celtic-Punk in songs like “My Life in the Bike Scene” and “Agony’s Night,” to folk ballads like “Dublin: Easter, 1916” and “My Weary Irish Eyes,” to bluesy pop-punk in the form of “I Hope I Never See You Again” and “That Guy,” and to the swing, metal and reggae influences found in new songs written since the recordings of The Rivers Run Deep like "Poseidon's Wrath" and "The Man With Nickel Plating Makes All The Rules," The Righs sets itself apart as a Celtic-Punk band unlike any other.
Shite'n'Onions Review:
Okay, I gotta admit, I hard a hard time getting into the release ‘The Rivers Run Deep’ by Oklahoma’s The Righs. I couldn’t put my finger on why this was, though, and I decided that instead of putting it aside, I would scrutinize the disc and write up my criticisms. In doing this, however, the CD not only grew on me after only a couple of spins but I also developed quite an appreciation of The Righs’ sound.
Most immediately noticeable on the ‘The Rivers Run Deep’ is the CD’s rough cut, ragged edge, reminiscent of a recorded “live-in-the-studio” release which gives an impression of the energy that the band must convey while on stage. Listening further in, I discovered difficulty in finding an umbrella-term that could encompass all the influences at work. I mean, this band is all over the map with original songs of Ireland, ('Dublin: Easter; 1916',) cover songs from Scotland, ('Loch Lomond', and 'Amazing Grace',) a sea shanty, ('I’m Bound Away',) a deep country/western caterwauling chorus, ('I Hope I Never see You Again',) and tales of ghosts and Hobbits. Most surprisingly to me, though, was the use of a trumpet in a couple of songs, including the lead-off track.
Now, I have never been particularly interested in the trumpet’s sharp, shouting blare and this may have contributed to my initial indifference. I chastised myself for my close-minded hypocrisy, (seeking out and applauding bands for their new, unique and signature sounds, yet quickly blocking my ears at the inclusion of, *gasp,* brass!), despite the instrument’s use on only a small percentage of the CD’s 10 tracks. It should also be noted that the trumpet’s voice is used in a subtle supporting role. I dropped my prejudices and, after a moment to digest the blend found myself smiling in approval and even wishing for further inclusion of the “non-kosher” sound throughout the disc!
As for the rest of the instrumentation, a more traditional mixture of guitars, bass, drums, mandolin, fiddle, tin whistle and banjo are shared by the six members of the band. Vocals ring in strong, confident and comfortable somewhere between Flogging Molly’s Dave King and The Skels’ Chris Fried and compete only with the fiddle for the front pole-position in The Righs’ signature sound.
The strongest element in ‘The Rivers Run Deep’, however, is the songs. After I stopped scrutinizing and started simply listening, I noticed them. Really well-written songs. Very catchy melody lines with intelligent and engaging lyrics within the interesting arrangements.
So, in a final attempt to define the sounds on this CD, let me just say that The Righs’ debut release, 'The Rivers Run Deep' is an enthusiastic Celtic folk-punk blend seasoned with sea-spray, barn-floor sawdust, Tolkien-esque halfling toe-tapping, and a pinch of brass. If this doesn’t sound like your type of music, just remember, it wasn’t mine. Then, it was. Now, despite the seemingly unrelated influences at work, (or, perhaps, because of them,) I not only enjoy this CD, but I find myself anxiously looking forward for future releases!
Review by Christopher Toler, THE Blathering Gommel
