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The Most Unique American "Folk" Band

Michael Weber | Atlanta | 02/16/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Record stores often file BiL under "British Isles" in their "International" sections -- they're actually from Minneapolis, but they *sound* as if they ought to be from Blighty.I can't believe that there are no reviews for this great album, which combines folk, rock, classical and punk influences to produce what has been called "Celtodelic Rock'n'Reel".Standout songs:"Son Oh Son" -- Incest and murder in the traditional manner. Lovely, ominous and upsetting."Tape Decks All Over Hell" -- I have described the music of certain other performers as "rockabilly from Hell" -- well, this *is* rockabilly from Hell. After a jam session with some apparently rather unusual friends, the narrator discovers that Dante Alighieri has taken a bootleg copy with him to Hell... and he's REALLY popular Down There. Not the venue you'd like to play, though."Army (Dream Song)" and "Brave Bombardier" are both anti-war; "Army" is a hilarious but still scary dream narrative, and "Bombardier" is a character sketch of the man who can rain down death on people below so long as "never their faces I'll see"."Town of Ballybay" is a marvelously silly more or less traditional Irish drinking song, played straight with a nice lilt."Hard Times" is an account of the assassination of President McKinley, wistfully and winningly performed.The rest are Really Good, too.You'll either love it or hate it, but you will *not* be neutral about it."

Outrageous World Fusion

Diane E. Declue | 05/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From their website - For close to 25 years, BiL have been innovators in bringing "folk music" kicking and screaming to rock audiences (and rock music to screaming folk audiences!) BiL's many instrumental dance tunes incorporate global influences, rhythms, and melodies that are guaranteed to keep the feet moving. Original songs stick in the mind long after the music is over.



The players improvise freely yet stay in sync, playing a vital mix of original and traditional material that sounds fresh and highly identifiable. The group and the individual musicians have won over 20 Minnesota Music Awards, and toured throughout the US and in Europe. The band's current lineup sees the return of original lead singer Todd Menton the addition of masterful guitarist Dean Magraw, and loads of new material to play.



Enthusiastic, powerful, technically brilliant, playing a wealth of instruments, electric and acoustic, Boiled In Lead routinely blows away preconceptions about independent ways to rock.

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