Album Review – Skyrie ‘Hunger Road’  

With Hunger Road, Fife-based trio SKYRIE marks a significant shift from their previous album Ceilidh-Celi. The band now presents a finely balanced blend of original songs and instrumentals, showcasing both their versatility and musical depth.

The group, comprising Lesley Thompson Smith, James “Jimmy” Anderson, and Christopher Martin Smith, brings together years of experience, having performed with and supported renowned artists such as Dougie MacLean. This experience shines through in the maturity of their compositions and the cohesion of their performance.

The album offers a mix of original compositions alongside a few well-known traditional pieces, such as Jock o Hazeldean and Raggle Taggle Gypsy. The opening track, The Lambs, sets a strong foundation for what follows, highlighting the seamless interplay between fiddle, guitar, and percussion – a hallmark of the trio’s sound. Hunger Road tells compelling stories through its music.

The fun romantic ballad Take Me Home with You contrasts with the haunting Exiled, which recounts the notorious Highland Clearances. The title track, Hunger Road, is a poignant reflection on Charles Trevelyan’s Public Works Scheme during the Irish famine, where starving people laboured on roads that often led nowhere. The album cover visually captures the sombre tone of this piece.

Instrumentally, the album displays a wide range of moods and tempos. Tracks like McAra’s Manuscript evoke an almost ethereal quality, while Beauly Sleep Song offers a tranquil respite. In contrast, more upbeat pieces such as Doocey’s, The Fish, Alasdair Gammack’s and Thirteen bring energy that’s sure to get feet tapping.

Overall, Hunger Road is a thoughtfully crafted album, rich with emotional storytelling and musical variety. With most of the tracks being original works, the band should take great pride in this achievement. It’s an album that would make a valuable addition to any folk music collection.

https://www.skyrie.co.uk/

IAN OLIPHANT