Aerials is a damn fine CD, but fans of Let the Wind Blow High, the previous Enter the Haggis release, might be hard pressed to recognize the band.

Let the Wind focused on Craig Downie's quirky sense of humor, artfully blending Downie's bagpipe acumen, clever songwriting and jolly vocals with various Scottish traditional and rock influences. On Aerials, Downie takes a back seat while band newcomer Brian Buchanan steps to the fore, contributing several original songs and handling most of the lead vocals. Bagpipes are also less of a focus here, with more emphasis placed on fiddle and guitar.

Buchanan sings well, although his vocals are closer kin to '80s rock than Scottish trad. The overall sound and arrangement is good, solid stuff -- but it's strongly reminiscent of the style patented by Seven Nations. While 7N is certainly one of the finer bands on the "bagpipe rock" circuit and is worthy of emulation, Enter the Haggis has sacrificed its own uniqueness. I want it back.

Of course, it's hard to imagine the band could retain its old sound, considering that Downie (highland bagpipe, vocals, acoustic guitar) was the only alumni player in the studio this time around. Besides Buchanan (fiddle, vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, strings), new members are Trevor Lewington (lead and acoustic guitars, backing vocals), James Campbell (drums, percussion) and Mark Abraham (bass guitar).

Arrangements of traditional songs "Star of the County Down" and "Lanigan's Ball" are highlights of the album, as are some kickin' instrumental sets like "Arcturus" (including a sizzling mid-track rendition of "Tam Lin"), "Aerials" and Downie's "March of the Fleas." Buchanan in particular stands out as an excellent fiddler! But Buchanan's original material -- songs such as "Andromeda," "Echo of a Whisper" and "December Ends" -- are pleasant without making much of an impact. They're good while you're listening, but they're certainly not as memorable as Downie's comedic turns from the previous recording. Downie's only original song on Aerials, "Half a Hero," is subdued.

If Aerials had come out under a different banner, I'd probably be writing a completely different review. There is seriously good material here, and no one can argue the band's considerable chops. But this isn't the Enter the Haggis I was expecting to hear, and Version 2 suffers in comparison to the original. Fortunately, Downie is still leading the band, and I look forward to hearing him reassert his influence on the next Enter the Haggis CD.

Meanwhile, both albums are worth owning, and Enter the Haggis is a band we should encourage to continue recording and touring.

- Rambles
written by Tom Knapp
published 22 March 2003

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