This quintet has produced a vibrant and engaging CD that is, as they state on their minimal liner notes, a "blend of folk and rock music based upon a driving rhythm." I am a bit more skeptical of their claim that it is "entirely non-political," as it is also "music about love and revolution, cats and dogs, exploitation and intolerance." While somewhat sliced and diced, I've just about exhausted the liner text with those few phrases. No Web site is mentioned. I must assume they are determined to let the music speak for itself, and it does so admirably.

clear this planet.... immediately! has been in heavy rotation on the home stereo since it arrived. The band consists of Esch (guitars, bouzouki, vocals, percussion), Bernhardt Ruso (flutes, whistles, percussion), Andy Neumeister (guitars, bass, vocals), Klara Schiffermüller (fiddle), and Paul Dangl (fiddle, e-fiddle, backing vocals). They also credit special guests Leli and Katrin (Irish step dancing), Oliver Stein (drums) and Robert Scheiber (backing vocals). Their sound is pretty much what you might expect of a band that subtitles itself "The Rock 'N' Reel Connection." Instrumentally the most satisfying melodic leads are provided by the tight and tasty fiddles. The guitars and other fretted strings are generally used to create that "driving rhythm" they promised. The vocals are satisfying and straight forward with just a hint of their namesake, Smoky Finish.

Absent a complete press packet, solely based upon their accents and material (e.g. "Erin Go Bragh," "The Queen of Argyle") one might suspect they are from Ireland. While they might sound like three parts Chieftains to one part U2, it wouldn't take much beyond a stack of Marshall amps to reverse the equation. Most American bands who tackle this type of material are far too reverential of folk "authenticity." Smoky Finish, in fact not Irish but Austrian, gets down, lets loose, and makes the tunes really come alive.

I will be keeping an eye out for Smoky Finish on tour. If they can get this much spark captured on a sself produced recording I can only imagine that they'd have the audience kicking up their heels in a Rock 'N' Reel frenzy live.