The New RUNRIG Album Reviewed Here — Is This the Finest Folk-Rock You Will Hear This Year?

The celebrated Scottish Celtic rock band RUNRIG will release The Story — their 14th and final studio album on 29 January.

The new eleven track album brings the curtain down on a remarkable and unique recording career.

The new album will be released on Deluxe CD format that comes with an exclusive 32-page booklet, a 2-disc gatefold vinyl with bonus track (The Story – radio edit), and digital download.

The band will support the new album with a 14-date Scottish/UK tour that starts at the Aberdeen Music Hall on Wednesday 10 February. [Dates below]

We had a listen to The Story:

The title track is accompanied by an official  music video [see below].

This is a powerful uplifting short film about the relationship of a man with his culture and his past, and the hold that those memories still have over his life and the stories inside all of us.

Rory’s unique voice is is uplifting and encouraging  — and the song has a brilliant jewel-like bone — genuine and friendly. If this doesn’t give you the bumps ‘n’ shivers then it is clear that you don’t have a heart!

‘Onar‘ sparkles like early morning dew on the spurry of Black Cuillin with silver braids of moonlit mandolin and a sprightly rhythm that jerks and snatches the petticoats of the melody before a buttery smooth sax comes to the fore.

The chorus will dwell-long in your heart and you will sing-along to the dextrous lyrics and clap to the ribald bass and those dark-sharp dirks of percussion.

‘Rise and Fall‘ is a rat-a-tat ballad that talks of fine past-glories that rise like mist from the perfectly layered bell-heather whorls of background sound…

Pensive moods lurk in this weepy —   it’s a song filled with eloquence and passion —   but when the guitar enters through a sea gate to warm the grates, it helps keep the song from becoming too sullen.

This delicious and evocative album finishes with the romantic ‘Somewhere‘ with its hope-filled promises that light-up the rocky slopes of rhythm, as the malted caramel vocal will take your breath away. If you thought the album opener was emotional — just wait ’till you hear this!

You might meditate on the lyrical odes and strong feelings of nostalgic love that wind through these wonderful songs — mystical places, magical moments and memorable events…

But, above all, you will be wise to think of this album as a devotional.  The aim — to drive away the evil spirits that dwell inside your mortal frame.

Elegant and spiritually uplifting.

Words:@neilmach 2016 ©

The Story is now available to pre order from the official online shop at http://www.runrig.co.uk/

Aberdeen Music Hall Wednesday 10 February (Sold Out)

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Thursday 11 February (Sold Out)

Dundee Caird Hall Friday 12 February

Edinburgh Usher Hall Saturday 13 February (Sold Out)

Nottingham Royal Concert Hall Tuesday 16 February

Gateshead The Sage Wednesday 17 February (Sold Out)

Birmingham Symphony Hall Thursday 18 February

Portsmouth Guildhall Friday 19 February

Ipswich Regent Theatre Saturday 20 February

Manchester o2 Apollo Tuesday 23 February

Bristol Colston Hall Wednesday 24 February

Sheffield City Hall Thursday 25 February

London o2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire Friday 26 February

Cambridge Corn Exchange Saturday 27 February

Hebridean Celtic Festival Saturday 16 July

Edinburgh Castle Saturday 23 July