Where The Skeletons Dance

Album Review

Where the Skeletons Dance is an intense, energetic, and melodic effort by this folksy punk-rock outfit from the U.K. Led by the crunching guitar of Dick Langford and the acrimonious vocals of lead singer Graeme Hobbs, Tricks Upon Travellers' songs really flourish when the soaring violin of Mark Knight enters the mix. His style of playing actually resembles that of the well known British folk fiddler Peter Knight of Steeleye Span fame. Day and night would be appropriate when stating the differences between their respective bands, but when stripped of all other instruments, a similarity does exist. This is a consistent recording along the lines of Across the Border and the Levellers' early work. A couple of compatible diversions make for an even more interesting listen; "Deserve" recalls the cowpunk recordings of the Mekons' Sin years, and the Baroque intro to "Million Miles, Part 1" offers momentary respite at the album's midway point.