Runrig Album: “The Stamping Ground”

When I first listened to this CD, my favorite was the 1st song, Book of Golden Stories because of its easy melody. But some of the songs in this CD have become more meaningful to me because of recent historical and sadly tragic events that followed shortly after its release. When 9/11 occurred, the lyrics of the song Big Songs of Hope and Cheer really had a deep impact on me. Every time I saw pictures of those survivors walking away covered in dust like snow, I was reminded of the words from this song that really seem to illustrate the turning point in our world history as we were plunged into a new kind of war - almost prophetic.

Then there is the song Running To The Light and the Spaceshuttle Columbia tragedy. You see Runrig was a favorite band of astronaut Laurel Clark and she carried this very CD with her aboard the Spaceshuttle. The song Running To The Light was also used as a wake-up call for her that was for a time available for the rest of us to hear online before the crash. Many Runrig fans knew about this and we were all following her journey on the 'net and waiting for her to come back with pictures of the CD taken aboard the Columbia and tales of it being played in space. Sadly this was not to be. Yet like a strange miracle, this and The Cutter and The Clan, the other Runrig CD taken aboard, were both discovered among the wreckage and the Stamping Ground has since been given to the Band by the Clark family. The words of the song seem almost a haunting tribute to the tragic event while at the same time inspire us to reflect on the deeper meanings of our life and what drives the human spirit.

Of the 2 Gaelic songs, "An Sabhal Aig Neill" (Neil's Barn) is a rollicking upbeat acoustic number and is my favorite. I love the melody of "The Ship" but have bit of a difficulty trying to understand the references made in the song - somehow it reminds me of the Scottish movie "Breaking The Waves" but thats probably just me.

New lead singer Bruce Guthro really sounds strong on this CD and its really amazing how differently he sings on the Runrig CD's from his own solo work which of late has been a little less inspiring. Of the 2 Runrig CD's with Bruce on lead vocals, this is the one I prefer - much more upbeat, despite all that I've stated above.

"The Stamping Ground" is certainly Runrig's most brilliant album in their 28 year- long career. Being the second album with Canadian born singer Bruce Guthro it essentially means a return to their initial background as is indicated by the title. Stamping Ground contains different kinds of music, ranging from a-capella song "Summer Walkers" to the use of electronic loops in "Running to the Light." But always it's the most successful combination of traditional and modern elements - with no exception to the rule. Runrig remain what they've always been: down to earth, convincing, personal and spiritual. But to my opinion they have never been so good.

Runrig's new album features both their new Canadian lead singer, and Calum and Rory's best songs for some time.

The usual mixture of a melodic rocking sound accompanied by a plaintive strong Scottish flavour feature in songs both upbeat and slow.

We have social comment, romance, and a track from a good old live Ceilidh, sung a capella.

If you want a taste of Scotland that will evoke visions of mountains and glens, a small helping of Gaelic for flavour, and some cracking good rock music then this is for you .... but don't blame me if it makes you long for The Highlands and a visit to Skye and Sutherland!

Well done Runrig!

Stamping Ground is like a great relationship. it begins with intensity and just keeps getting better and better. and you want it to last forever.