(Megaforce Records)

 

Irish rockers The Saw Doctors are well-known for their romping, humor-laced tunes; this time around, they live up to that reputation as well as amping up the rock and roll juggernaut they’ve always had the potential to carry. With a solid, ballsy line-up and a masterful, eclectic range of subject matter, this wily quintet has managed to garner a respectable American fan base, with songs running from all-out rockers to gorgeous, timeless ballads. Album opener “Takin’ The Train” rocks, rolls, and rumbles like a runaway locomotive. “Friday Town” is a bittersweet ode to a freewheeling life just out of reach, while “Someone Loves You” reveals the group’s pop side (they scored a number two hit in Ireland in 2011 covering Petula Clark’s classic “Downtown.”) “Wild Eyes” manages to mix the two styles with a smooth blast of shout-out noise, and album closer “Goodbye Again” phases in from another zone and rides the gently rocking waves off The Big Green into the sunset with nary a hint of irony. Further Adventures is another classic effort from a greatly under-appreciated outfit that just gets better and better with every outing. 

 

– Tom Hallett