Haymarket Squares New
Album A Righteous Ruckus
Mark Allred of The Haymarket Squares. Images by Jeff Moses.
By Jeff Moses
Modern Times Magazine
Feb. 25, 2013 — The Haymarket Squares released a new album on Feb. 22, and besides just throwing one hell of a release party — check the police reports for the details — they also produced a really fun and inspiring album.
“Righteous Ruckus” the Squares third full-length album captures much of the attitude and energy of the Punk Grass originators.
But at the same time it must be said that the only way to truly listen to The Haymarket Squares is live and in person.
The album definitely packs some political punch with songs like “Revolt Resist Rebel” and “Buy My Vote,” calling out American legislators.
It takes a shot at some staples of American culture in “Outside” which touches on TV culture and “Big Old’ Car” about gas-guzzlers.
A song just for the disenfranchised activist called “Giving A Shit,” about the Squares own struggles to stay motivated as artists and activists, and it has a touch of humor with the song “Forbidden Love,” about a political radical falling in love with a republican.
The album also features the Haymarket Squares first ever cover song, “Hey You,” by Pink Floyd.
But most importantly the album has good old-fashioned fun, fast paced acoustic folk music that you can dance to. Like the Squares favorite track to play live, “Let’s Get Fucked Up.”
The album is a fairly quick listen all the way through. The longest of the 11 songs is “Giving A Shit,” is 3:36 seconds long. The shortest, “Let’s Get Fucked Up,” is a lightning fast 1:37. It all adds up to 26 or so minutes of acoustic foot tapping fun, combined with topical political satire that only The Haymarket Squares can provide.
The album was recorded and mixed by Jalipaz at Audioconfusion in East Mesa and featured Mark Sunman on mandolin accordion and vocals, Marc Oxborrow on vocals and bass, Mark Allred on steel guitar and vocals, John Luther Norris on guitar and vocals, and Josh Garber on drums.
More information about The Haymarket Square's album, and live appearances can be found at Haymarketsquares.com or on facebook.com/thehaymarketsquares.
Jeff Moses is a senior contributor to Modern Times Magazine.
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