What Cheer!
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 11/18/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If ever there were a good times CD, "Songs from Sun Street" is it. First released in 1998, Saw Doctors have been referred to as the second best Irish band, after U2. "Good News" has a driving pop beat, "The oceans all polluted; we've damaged all the sky; and there's wars & wars & rumors & a hungry baby cries...just give me the good news!" Equally infectious, "Sugartown" is hook-laden jangly pop, a delight. "Galway & Mayo" is kind of an Irish road song that paints a picture of the Irish summer, "there's a stillness in the summer air, sheepdog lying in the sun, three young girls with butterfly nets break into a run." "Carry Me Away" is a dreamy slow song followed by "Heading for the Sunshine," a midtempo track. "Catriona Tells Lies" is a great fun, almost bubble gum rock, with the background "la la la" vocals making the tune hilarious, "I would follow her to kingdom, oh yeah, wouldn't you?" "Blah, Blah, Blah" has great pulse and energy while "D'ya Wanna Hear My Guitar?" makes one think the guy wants the girl to play with more than his guitar, great double entendre. "Joyce Country Celli Band" is a rollicking trad piece; and "High Nellie" is a quick instrumental. "We did everything together from an early age, smoked our first fags behind the school hedge," the Doctor sings on "Best of Friends." "Will It Ever Stop Raining?" is a bit of Irish Reggae while "Tommy K" is a bit over-earnest ode to a D.J. "Away with the Fairies" is bit of nutty whimsy. The CD concludes with the rock march "I'll Be On My Way," a few minutes of silence, and another little ditty probably called "It Must Be Driving You Mad." Saw Doctors' music rocks, is upbeat, overall happy in tone despite some darker elements in the lyrics. If you're looking for a great party record, visit Sun Street! Enjoy!"