Solar Shears by Shooglenifty

Lisnaholic · 06-07-2012, 06:15 PM

In this thread, everybody is invited to comment on -or enquire about - this album, which is the latest poll-winner from The FAIR Album Club :-

Quote:

Solar Shears by Shooglenifty (2001)

Shooglenifty do more than just add an electronic gloss to Celtic-sounding music, they create a convincing marriage of techno and traditional elements to produce “hypno-folkadelic” or “acid-croft” music. Play it loud to hear all the delicious details, and to understand why this band chose, for their name, a Scottish word that means “shake or agitate”.

I`ve enjoyed playing this album many times since I bought it about six years ago, so it`d be interesting to hear what anyone else makes of it. Don`t worry if you feel impelled to give it an "awful" vote, that`d be welcome too !

Stephen · 06-14-2012, 09:06 PM

It's probably not too surprising that a band that attempts to combine Celtic and techno, neither of which I am particularly fond, really grabbed me. I felt that most of the electronic beats were somewhat intrusive and to me often came across as a poor remix of someone else's material. I struggled to get through the album to be honest, though I quite liked the second last track Kinky Haroosh.

Overall I'm afraid this was somewhat disappointing.

**Frownland** · 06-16-2012, 02:50 PM

I gave it a couple of listens, and for the same reasons that stp mentioned, I'm going to rate it as OK because it was an interesting idea to blend the two genres. Not really an album that I'll want to put on repeat in the near future, unfortunately.

Lisnaholic · 06-17-2012, 09:24 PM

Sorry that this album didn`t appeal to you guys, and thank you for struggling through it despite your aversion, stp !
I hope I haven`t been guilty of talking it up to be grander than it is. Although it`s true that a few tracks don`t really develop into much, I thought the opener (Hijab) and track no. 3 (Igor`s) were both powerful enough to carry along the weaker material.
If this was a sub-prime recommendation on my part, let`s hope some better nominations will come rolling in from your direction.

**Frownland** · 06-17-2012, 10:01 PM

It definitely did have its moments where the Celtic music does blend brilliantly with the techno beats like in the opening track, but at other times it does tend to be a bit off-putting and inappropriately timed. There are definitely some good moments here, but it doesn't really appeal to me as an entire album.

And Huun-Huur-Tu is up next it seems, so that one will definitely go over well with me.

Stephen · 06-17-2012, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

Sorry that this album didn`t appeal to you guys, and thank you for struggling through it despite your aversion, stp !
I hope I haven`t been guilty of talking it up to be grander than it is. Although it`s true that a few tracks don`t really develop into much, I thought the opener (Hijab) and track no. 3 (Igor`s) were both powerful enough to carry along the weaker material.
If this was a sub-prime recommendation on my part, let`s hope some better nominations will come rolling in from your direction.

No apologies necessary Lisnaholic. As I said it was bridging two genres that aren't personal favourites, that doesn't mean others won't appreciate it. I kind of held off posting in the first place because I didn't want to start the thread off on a negative but I didn't want to leave it hanging either.

Lisnaholic · 06-18-2012, 02:45 PM

Thanks for being so considerate, stp. I suspect that the Huun-Huur-Tu will do better; in fact there are already rumours in the music industry that Frownland will be joining them on their next world tour :-

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

Today I was so bored that I learned how to throat sing. I now have a new hobby for a few weeks.

View Poll Results: Opinions of Solar Shears by Shooglenifty
Excellent	0	0%
Good	1	33.33%
OK	1	33.33%
Disappointing	1	33.33%
Awful	0	0%
Voters: 3. You may not vote on this poll

06-16-2012, 02:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,548	I gave it a couple of listens, and for the same reasons that stp mentioned, I'm going to rate it as OK because it was an interesting idea to blend the two genres. Not really an album that I'll want to put on repeat in the near future, unfortunately. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

06-17-2012, 09:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	Sorry that this album didn`t appeal to you guys, and thank you for struggling through it despite your aversion, stp ! I hope I haven`t been guilty of talking it up to be grander than it is. Although it`s true that a few tracks don`t really develop into much, I thought the opener (Hijab) and track no. 3 (Igor`s) were both powerful enough to carry along the weaker material. If this was a sub-prime recommendation on my part, let`s hope some better nominations will come rolling in from your direction. __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

06-17-2012, 10:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,548	It definitely did have its moments where the Celtic music does blend brilliantly with the techno beats like in the opening track, but at other times it does tend to be a bit off-putting and inappropriately timed. There are definitely some good moments here, but it doesn't really appeal to me as an entire album. And Huun-Huur-Tu is up next it seems, so that one will definitely go over well with me. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

06-14-2012, 09:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
Stephen I sleep in your hat Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Melbourne, Vic. Aus. Posts: 1,846	It's probably not too surprising that a band that attempts to combine Celtic and techno, neither of which I am particularly fond, really grabbed me. I felt that most of the electronic beats were somewhat intrusive and to me often came across as a poor remix of someone else's material. I struggled to get through the album to be honest, though I quite liked the second last track Kinky Haroosh. Overall I'm afraid this was somewhat disappointing.