Runrig Album: “Everything You See”

As a huge fan of Runrig, of not many years but many albums, I was a little worried about this one. It's been four years since their last studio album, and in the time's passage so much can change. The spirit of Runrig has always been in appreciation and inspiration of ordinary life, the beauty of the land, and traditions. Such things are becoming less and less appreciated these days (hopefully a temporary situation, as I'd rather not believe in doom-and-gloom end of the world thoughts just quite yet), but happily, no such thing has affected this group, and their latest is a refreshing and inspiring piece of work.

Proterra, their 2003 album, was criticized by some for an overproduced feel. Personally, I like that album a lot, almost as much as its predecessor The Stamping Ground, but I do notice the somewhat heavily produced feel that the former can have over the latter. This was not lost on the band either, who recognize that the power of their music is at its best in live situations. Hence this album, recorded and produced entirely in the highlands (a first for the band), was designed to feel earthy and apprehendable. Recorded in an old stable block in a small town which was converted into a studio, Runrig also made use of other buildings in the town for their work. Hence this album has a dedication to place and heart that might go unnoticed to the casual listener. Whether it means much to you or not, the result is a fine and powerful piece of work.

Highlights for me are the tracks Road Trip, Atoms and Sona for their authentic Runrig energy and fire, This Day for fully capturing the beauty and hope at the heart of the band, and the tracks Something's Got to Give and In Scandinavia for a lovely slower, more melancholy tone. In reality, though, I'd be hard-pressed to pick a track I dislike - every one is top-quality, emotive and packs a punch of its own.

Runrig, the Scots highlanders' most unique and powerful musical sound, again proves they see deeper into the soul of music than so many others. If you like rock, especially classic and melodic styles, folk-rock or Celtic music of any sort, get this and give it multiple listenings, so that the full power can unfold. Nothing's right at the surface here - keep it in mind. Slainte!

One hears the old classic Runrig in these tunes - the redeeming love of women, the awe of God in the environment, and earthy love of tunes and shinty, the disillusionment with money-diseased commercialism - but with, it seems more plaintiveness than rage. The tunes of the past are in the music, here, as well, on one or two tracks so close as to be direct echoes of the first phase of the band's long distance. Many listeners (like this one)will need to play the disc about twenty times to get the full impact and subtlety, and a better understanding of the power of the Gaelic. And listen for the Hope, which may not be obvious on first playings. It may be mellower, but the fire in them yet, not in the clash of steel, but the clash of the ash.

Well, after the real dissapointment of Proterra, this is a return to form for Runrig. For me, the very best studio album produced by the band is The Stamping Ground, and if you haven't got that, get it. This, however, has the same gutsy edge to its songs, and the same depth of realism in the lyrics.

I love Brian's inclusion on lead vocals in 'Something's Got To Give' - a lovely ballad, and there are several songs that will be sung along to by Runrig fans for a long time to come.

The doom-sayers of the mid-nineties are eating their words now, as the band go on turning out wonderfully crafted songs with commitment and honesty. Bruce has more than filled Donnie's shoes, and brought a slightly more sophisticated touch.

All in all, this is another 'must-have' from the boys.