EP review: CULANN – Songs of Saints & Reivers

Bandcamp [Release date 15.09.23]

Ayrshire based Culann have been around since 2008, releasing their self-titled debut album in 2012, followed by their second album, ‘The Great Ecumene‘, in 2019. Now Cullan – who consist of PJ Kelly (Vocals, Guitar), Sean Kelly (Drums), Greg Irish (Guitar), Ross McCluskie (Keys) and Calum Davis (Bass) – release their first new music since that album.

First question after listening to this album is why aren’t they better known? Hard to categorise, however, they have the melodic intensity of Those Damn Crows coupled with a love of Celtic rhythms and folklore similar to Skerryvore. If that wasn’t enough to entice a listen, Culann have a distinct progressive air to their musical arrangements (although they keep it short & sweet with this four song EP clocking in at just under twenty minutes).

‘Rovers’ and ‘City Eternal’ fair fly out of the speakers, with the former having a tasty guitar driven intro. ’Rivers’ is based on the story of a Viking ship that raided the coastal towns of Ayrshire, when one night the younger crew member hears a siren coming from the coastline, a mermaids voice that eventually leads them to their doom as the ship crashes on the shore. ‘City Eternal’ has a banging chorus, to use a bit of modern parlance ;-)

‘Saint Andrew’ is another song based on Scottish folklore as an early Scottish King, who faced overwhelming odds before a battle, prayed to Saint Andrew & strengthened by this divine intervention they overcame the outnumbering force & won the battle. This is the song that has hints of Those Damn Crows in it.

‘Heart of the Sea’ is a lovely piece of folk, allowing PJ to show his gentler side of his singing. After the frantic pace of the previous three songs, this provides a calming end to the EP.

These boys are good! What are you waiting for? Off to Bandcamp with you… ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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