Bastard Bearded Irishmen are releasing their long awaited sophomore album, “Rise of the Bastard.” The follow up to their highly successful, self titled debut. The ambitious album features 15 boisterous tracks, with no shortage of whiskey, rum, bourbon and beer themed tunes. The boys once again didn’t hold anything back.
The album starts out with “Mama,” arguably one of the best tracks of the collection. Opening immediately with a catchy riff that will make your head spin. Paul Dvorchak shows off his fiddle chops in-between Jimmy Bastard’s (also known as Jim Smerecky) infectious vocals. BBI comes out swinging with “Switchblade Molly,” a fast paced anthem with a classic sounding melody, boasting the mandolin playing of Danny Rectenwald. Only getting better as the album progresses is “Tomorrow,” led by the drumming of Dan Stocker, and “Red.” BBI nailed irish classics such as “All for Me Grog,” an amusing, traditional folk song about giving everything up for beer and tobacco, “Three Drunken Maidens,” and the charming “Tell Me Ma,” a 19th century number that you would let your children listen to. Stepping out of character, BBI slowed the pace completely for “Last Drink.” Carrying forward, BBI makes your feet stomp, with an adrenaline filled “Land of the Free,” saluting those that came before us. The Bastards knock it out of the park with the tune “Whiskey, Rum, Bourbon, Beer,” while Smerecky trades vocals with guitarist Jon Pitcher and Ben Jaber lays on the bass.
If you are looking for a highly addictive, lucid, newfangled album, you can get your copy of “Rise of the Bastard,” at their album release party, at the Altar Bar, Saturday, May 17. You can also catch them again at the Altar Bar June 28th, Deutschtown Music Festival July 12, Mountainfest in Morgantown, WV July 26 and Flood City Music Fest August 2.
