Recorded at Factory Underground Studios in Norwalk, Connecticut, USA

Canadian based band?

CD 38min

Rating 70/100

A Recent arrival to the ‘House of Prog Radio’ landed its way into the hallowed marbled halls of our emporium for review.With a big bulky, large as life noisy sound and every bit a battleship of a band as suggested by the bands moniker ‘Dreadnought’

There is music made just for listening, some for sedate canoodling or even more vigorous dancing and then that which is raucous, over the top fun packed good time beer or cider swilling group folk driven pandemonium. ‘Roll and Go’ is just such an album, and comprises a collection of fun packed nonsense songs best served live within a club, pub or good time bar. A venue where the swirling aloft of dripping cider glasses and the cacophonous wailing of patrons is encouraged. ‘Dreadnought’ are a super fun band with a set of extremely catchy ribald songs most of which are delivered in true buccaneer sea shanty style. In direct contrast there are some other songs that take on a distinctly Greek style with bouzouki leads but which are still fit firmly within the auspices of a drinking type atmosphere.

Instrumentally they are an extremely proficient band of musicians with catchy violin, accordion, bouzouki and guitar sequences playing over a sold percussive platform of drums and bass. Seemingly every tune is designed for a kind of party-night atmosphere and as an attraction they would, no doubt, be most sought after and popular especially in holiday resorts. However, and here is the rub, as an album for the general progressive, rock, folk market I would imagine of very limited general interest, except for album sales at gigs etc.

Summary: Lots of fun, enjoyable tunes but of limited interest as an album purchase due to the raucous nature of the tunes.

Writing Credits:

All songs written by Nicholas Smyth except “Battleford, 1885” (Kyle Taylor) and “Tuika” and “Bold Reilly” (trad.)

Instrument Credits:

Drums, BG Vocals (all songs): Marco Bieri

Accordion, Guitars, Lead Vocals (all songs): Nicholas Smyth

Bass (all songs): Andrew Hay

Piano, BG Vocals, Violin (all songs): Kyle Taylor
Mandolin, Bouzouki, BG Vocals (all songs): Aled Jenkins

Vocals (“Cider Holiday”): Jamie Ford

 

Accordion (“Vicki’s Polka”): Alex Meixner

Accordion (“Vicki’s Polka”): Carl Finch

Banjo (“Vicki’s Polka”): Michael Franklin

Saxophone (“Vicki’s Polka”) and Clarinet (“Tuika”): Mike WT Allen

Dulcimer (“Tuika”): Shawn Ostafie

Engineer: Aled Jenkins

Producer: Aled Jenkins and Nicholas Smyth

From the internet : The Dreadnoughts began to play folk-punk in 2007 with a single goal: to make enough money at shows to cover the cost of shots of Fireball Whiskey at Vancouver’s notoriously seedy Ivanhoe Hotel. Fifteen years on and counting, they can boast six studio albums, two EPs, and hundreds of unforgettable live shows spanning the globe.

After striking out into new territory over and over again, The Dreadnoughts have decided to release Roll and Go, a new album that pays homage to all the styles and moods they’ve explored over the years. Expect it all, the whole range of nautical-themed insanity, and even if you hate it, you’ll agree that there isn’t anything else quite like it.