Move over Flogging Molly, The Dreadnoughts are in town!
In the same way that we are raised not to judge a book by its cover, we should not formulate an opinion of a music album based on the title and/or artwork. The Dreadnought's album 'Polka's Not Dead' is certainly not a 35 minute showcase of uninspiring unoriginality, but rather a stunning product of folk fused with punk that frequently replaces overdriven guitars with overactive violins.
American parodist 'Weird Al' Yankovic continues to feature ingenious polka medleys on his albums, but aside from these, it seems that the genre is often forgotten. In a wise move, The Dreadnoughts have not overindulged in the polka genre, facilitating the practice of diverse styles ranging from the swaying sea shanty 'Randy Dandy-Oh' to the cultured flavourings of 'Clavdia's Waltz'. Each track contributes uniquely towards building a collection that is not only artistically rich, but possesses an undeniably entertaining personality.
Even if the prospect of polka offers no appeal whatsoever, do not thoughtlessly write off The Dreadnoughts. Old-school Offspring fans will surely discover plenty to appreciate in opener 'Cider Road', with the alcohol-fuelled five-piece kicking off their album with a barrage of crunching guitars and fuming drums. 'Polka Never Dies' may well bring a smile to your face with its colourful character, but this is no joke for the folk-punk outfit; The Dreadnoughts are sure to establish themselves as dominant figures in the folk-punk scene.
The word 'instrumental' normally fills us with scepticism, but in the hands of The Dreadnoughts, we need not fear. Fiddle-wielding member Seamus O'Flanahan basks in the spotlight for the duration of 'Goblin Humppa,' diligently driving the melody of the song forward and magnificently decorating the piece along the way with dissonant harmonies. O'Flanahan's imitation of a guitar pick scrape exemplifies the value of the instrument, leaving you wonder why the charming member of the string family is so often disregarded.
Take their word for it; Polka is not dead. Although it may be a dying breed, The Dreadnoughts make the spirited genre feel more alive than ever. 'Polka's Not Dead' is a superbly entertaining album, illustrating incredible vision from an ensemble of highly talented musicians. Don't let this invitation to the wacky world of polkas and folk-punk go to waste!