The Musical Box: “Solas System”

Posted on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 9:05 AM

Hey folks: check out this great review and interview we did with Walter Tunis over at the Musical Box.

“…And like the music it has produced since the release of a self-titled debut record in 1996, The Turning Tide is richly traditional in scope and style. Except when it isn’t.

‘In general, Solas doesn’t pay too much mind to labels. It’s very crippling to life, as well as to music and art, when you have to live according to how you’ve been labeled. Sometimes it is completely inaccurate.’

So what does that make Solas then? Is it the sort of band that bowed to enormous contemporary and commercial influence, like the Celtic ensemble Clannad during the ‘90s, to where it sounds almost like a pop group? Definitely not.”

Read the full article

Posted in: Reviews Comments(0) January 2010


Album Review from Direct Current

Posted on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 3:57 PM

We’re excited to read some great things about the new album! Here’s a review from Direct Current – thanks for the kind words!

For over a decade, Solas has not only redefined the concept of “Celtic folk”, they’ve risen to the ranks of the finest purveyors of the genre — a feat even more remarkable considering that the band hails from the U.S. A large part of the group’s enormous appeal — aside from their jawdropping technical prowess — is their ability to meld traditional instruments and styles to songs outside of the usual Irish music standards. New album The Turning Tide, arriving February 16 via Compass, expands upon what the L.A.Times calls “a compellingly original, strikingly contemporary view of traditional Celtic sounds” with a collection of songs rich in both musicality and acute social commentary.

Songs such as the swirling “Hugo’s Big Reel” spotlight the intricate instrumental play at the heart of the band’s Celtic sound but it is Solas’ inspired renditions of Bruce Springsteen’s “Ghost of Tom Joad”, Richard Thompson’s “Poor Ditching Boy” and Josh Ritter’s “Girl The War” that make The Turning Tide a truly special album and dramatically engage listeners beyond the “Irish music” core. Fronted by extraordinary vocalist Máiréad Phelan, Solas takes these songs to an exquisite new place, reinterpreting them with a fresh and provocative perspective. Highly recommended.

The Turning Tide is available now for pre-order from Compass Records and Amazon.com.

Solas - "The Turning Tide"

Posted in: Reviews Comments(0) January 2010


Videos: Dent Folk Festival

Posted on Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 at 4:49 PM

Big thanks to Pete Simmonds for sharing some videos he shot at the Dent Folk Festival last June. Thanks, Pete!

Posted in: Video Comments(0) January 2010


New album coming in February!

Posted on Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 at 7:45 PM

Our new album, “The Turning Tide” is slated to be released next month!  Head on over to our myspace page (or right here on our website) to preview five new tracks from the album.  Like what you hear?  The album is available for pre-order directly from Compass Records or from Amazon.com!  We can’t wait!

Posted in: News Comments(0) January 2010