CD Review

The Kissers are American bred, but you’d never know it to heard them. The former Pogues cover band plays a brand of Celtic rock that will get your fist a shakin’ and feet a stompin’ while you down a few pints of Guinness. Founded by bassist/vocalist Ken Fitzsimmons, the Kissers unify Irish traditionalism with American roots music and a pinch of British punk. The Madison, Wisconsin based quintet burst onto the scene in 2003 with the release of Fire in the Belly which featured a mix of revved-up Irish standards and original compositions telling stories of love and life.

The Celtic rockers’ upcoming sophomore release, Good Fight, keeps with familiar territory, but unlike their debut they find inspiration from recent events in the world; most significantly the war in Iraq and President Bush. The band tackles the death penalty on “Pictures at an Execution” and “No War” was influenced by the Howard Zinn book, "A People's History of the United States." However, their strident political stance doesn’t overwhelm the disc as they put a contemporary spin on traditional Irish ditties. The energetic five twenty-somethings crank out a high octane blend of acoustic and electric tones with uncompromising knee slappin’ tempos on tracks such as "Muirsheen Durkin," "Kicked in the Head," and "The Good Fight" Good Fight is fine sophomore release showing lyrical growth and maturity.

For more info see: thekissers.com