Cruachan is the name of the Irish cult folk rock formation formed in the early nineties. Their debut “Tuatha na Gael” (1995) delivered them respect from both fans and bands and it certainly remained a shame that it took the band 4 years to find a new record deal and to release their second release “The Middle Kingdom” back in 1999. Most of the fans had lost the band out of sight. But now Cruachan is back again with their new “Folk-lore”. And I certainly think that Cruachan have improved themselves. At first the better production in which all instruments are clearly hearable. And when you use that many different instruments like Cruachan does this certainly is a must. And that’s also what makes this release so special. Instruments like the banjo, the whistles, a mandolin and even a bouzouki certainly makes Cruachan`s music special and it keeps the Old Irish spirit this way.

But when I compare “The Middle Kingdom” with this new “Folk-lore” I can also conclude that Cruachan has won depth in their music (the different layers in songs as “Ride On” for example). On the other hand I have never been a fan of Karen’s vocals, and in some of the songs the guitar parts have become a little predictable. But this certainly has become a release that is a must for the more intellectual folk rocker with a passion for the history of Ireland. The lyrics are mostly about the rich history of Ireland. Like “Children of Lir” for instance that deals about Lir and his son Manannan, gods of the sea, which is one of the earliest stories in the Irish mythology. And to make the picture complete good old alcoholic Shane Mac Gowan (the Pogues) was also prepared to sing a song on this release.