The album was recorded toward the start of the year in Dublin’s Olympia Theatre, and as a listener in the comfort of their own bedroom, the album almost transports the listener to that location.
Kodaline have been together since 2005 and shot to fame with the release of their album ‘In A Perfect World’ back in 2013, which defined a lot of our teenage years. Made up of four gents from Ireland; Steve Garrigan (vocals), Mark Prendergast (guitar), Vincent May (drums), and Jason Boland (bass), the Irish rock band have had a profound effect on the indie folk music scene. Their new album exceeds expectations, creating an enticing and nostalgic environment upon listening.
Via Instagram, the band said, “‘Our Roots Run Deep’ is something special we wanted to do for a very long time, it’s also one we’re incredibly proud of. It’s been a long time coming and I hope you guys enjoy it as much as we’ve enjoyed making it. We know these days most people don’t tend to do it, but we would recommend listening to the record from start to finish.”
Listening to this album for the first time on shuffle will not have the same effect as going through each track, one by one—you start to feel like a part of the crowd that was there, bearing witness to the increasing excitement from the audience as the album goes on.
The album begins with a stripped-down version of their song ‘Wherever You Are’, and for the next few tracks, the tempo slightly picks up and produces what can only be described as a folk-fest. Violins, guitars, harmonic melodies, and the crowd singing along. It’s the best of Irish rock-folk music. However, Kodaline’s cover of Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean’ is haunting and enchanting all at the same time. It’s one of those covers that’s almost as good as the original! As the album progresses, listeners are taken to more ballad-like songs which are accompanied by piano. ‘Dirty Old Town’ is the first of their upbeat anthems, combining the best of folk music, and Kodaline, for that matter.
‘Our Roots Run Deep’ will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions, especially with some of their best hits the band have elevated for the album. The album ends with a stellar rendition of the song ‘All I Want’ . It’s even more beautiful than the original, possibly due to the new musical elements or the sounds of the crowds singing along, creating a perfect harmony for the track. Instead of ending on its usual melancholic tone, the audience’s prolonged singing and Kodaline’s gracious thanking to their fans makes this song the best one they could’ve concluded the album on.
The album’s depth is almost incomparable to other live albums, especially recent ones, which is emphasised by the nostalgia of Kodaline’s musical presence through the years. It may be emotional to some, hearing the fading of crowds and percussions at the end of the final song. It’s a journey to say the least!
Kodaline are in the midst of their ‘Our Roots Run Deep’ tour around Europe, which will continue for the remainder of 2022.
Sienna Norris
Image: ‘Our Roots Run Deep’ Official Album Cover
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