Album review: Split EP – The Rumjacks and Flatfoot 56
Australian band the Rumjacks have teamed up with Chicago based Flatfoot 56 and released a split-EP, where the two bands contribute three tracks each. As expected we’re talking Irish Folk-inspired punkrock that the two bands are known for. The Rumjacks continues an inspired couple of years, having released two full-lengths in as many years. Flatfoot 56 on the other hand has been more quiet the last years and has released few tracks since 2017’s Odd Boat. However, both bands are among top of the trade in the genre and I was excited when I heard about this Split being released.
The Rumjacks starts things off in a full swing fashion with the track Whitecaps. Here the Celtic influences, at least musically, are kept to a minimum and it’s more punk-forward with some few mandolin-sounding strings in the back. Lyrically it’s pretty straight-forward as well, but I like the potential double meaning in the writing here. In Fifth Ward Firestorm the celtic influences are turned up to 11, energetic and melodic and with a really nice sense of melodies, while it lyrically is more on the serious side. Last track on the Rumjacks side, What Was Your Name in the States, is a more laid back tune with nice strings and a pretty mellow tempo. More laid back in the lyrics as well and doesn’t take itself too seriously. All in all the Rumjacks delivers three tracks that show of their talent and a nice musical width where each song sticks out from the rest.
Flatfoot 56 opens their side on the split in a little bit of a slower fashion in the song Mud, with guitar-driven intro that slowly adds more instruments before kicking off. Pretty mid-tempo throughout but with a great melody and nicely written lyrics. Sorry is a track that was released as a single last year, really nicely written and just the right amount of pipes together with the rest of the instruments. I might be a little bit sad that we didn’t get three brand new songs from the band, but you can’t get everything I guess. Closing track Trouble is a great song with a catchy chorus, great pipes and an overall well written song.
All in all a nice split from two bands that represent the irish-folk punkrock in a great way. A little bit disappointing not to get three new tracks from both bands, but that matters less when all of them are good songs. A nice little EP that fans of the bands should check out, but also if you’ve not heard the bands before, something I doubt if you’re into this kind of music.