If you're a fan of Celtic punk (or as John Bowles host of the podcast of the same name calls it: Paddy Rock), then you probably already know The Mahones. If you're not familiar with this band, you should be. After all, this band has been around for more than 20 years.
But for more than just the longevity, you should know this band simply because it plays hard-driving punk rock with songs generally less than four minutes long (even the medleys). And if you want a good example of the hard driving punk of this band, check out "Spanish Lady" with guest vocalist Ken Casey of Dropkick Murphys. And if you like that one, just listen to the instrumental medley that follows it. That one brings The Pogues to mind.
Another song that brings The Pogues to mind is the medley "Angel without Wings / Merry Christmas." This medley reminds me of the classic "Fairytale of NewYork." The big difference is that the couple in this medley isn't quite as vitriolic as the couple in "Fairytale of New York." Still, the line "You daft Irish bast--d, what did you say? You promised you wouldn't drink on Christmas Day" is pretty classic.
Angels & Devils is a great punk album. Whether or not you're a fan of Paddy rock, if you're a fan of punk, you should add this album to your collection.
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