20. February 2025
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Media Review

The O’Reillys and the Paddyhats – Coming Home

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

The O'Reillys and the Paddyhats - Coming Home

The O'Reillys and the Paddyhats - Coming Home
4.2

Rating

 4.2/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Unique blend of Irish folk and punk rock
  • Party sound and easy sing-a-long

Flyctory.com Cons

  • Some song similarities

There are just a few bands, which use Christmas time for album releases. The O’Reillys and the Paddyhats are a German band, who released their sixth album on 20th December 2024. I received Coming Home on a promotion platform and felt to share it with you. Here is my review.

 

The O’Reillys and the Paddyhats – About The Artists

The O’Reillys and the Paddyhats have been founded in 2011 in Gevelsberg in the German Ruhrgebiet. They do a mixture of Irish folk and punk. The band name derives from the artist names of the two founding members, Sean and Dwight O’Reilly. The latter (civil name: Tim Herbrig) is still active as singer, guitarist, mandolinist and accordion player. He is nowadays joined by seven other band members. Paddy Maguire is the singer and guitarist of the band. The other band members are Ian McFlannagan (vocals, harp, washboard), Mia Callaghan (fiddle), Connor O’Suilivan (guitar), Jones Murphy (drums), Tom O’Shaughenessy (bass) and Ryan O’Leary (step dance).

The band, which is often js just named Paddyhats, is looking back to a successful history and played major festivals like the Wacken Open Air. They have released five studio albums so far, the last one being In Strange Waters in 2021. It peaked 32nd in the German album charts.

 

 

The O’Reillys and the Paddyhats – Coming Home – Track by Track

The eleven track album lasts 35 minutes.

1. Coming Home

The album’s title track is also setting the direction for the whole release. The sound of Irish folk is paired with the fun touch of punk. We will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, my dear – the result is a party rocker and drinking song, which is having the lovely touch of music from the green island. The opener is already one of the best songs of the whole release.

2. United We Will Be

The ease of their songs turns the Paddyhats into a special listen. You are quickly into the tracks. At the end of the first chorus, you already feel ready to sing along with the band. Thus, songs like United We Will Be feel like the perfect soundtrack for their upcoming tour (see below).

3. Weight Of The World

The raspy voice of Dwight O’Reilly is opening this song and spreading Irish folk vibes (at least after having some pints). The song develops to a rather uptempo track with a nice fiddle melody line in the chorus. The sound of these guys is indeed special – and fun.

4. Too Old To Die Young

Too Old To Die Young is slowing down the pace of the album. However, the rather melodic track has a nice, rhythmic vibe. And the chorus is another lovely sing-a-long one. Too old to die young, too young to be old – I guess that’s quite a bit of the target audience can perfectly relate to.

5. Pirates and Privateers

In the fifth track, The O’Reillys and the Paddyhats are spreading maritime feelings. Especially the chorus has a nice blending of shanty and rock elements. Again all that comes with easy to grasp lyrics and a catching rhythm.

6. Raise Your Glasses High

The following two songs have been released as singles. Raise Your Glasses High thereby is – not too surprisingly – another fun track, which can perfectly be used to have some cheers within three minutes – and thereby praise Irish-style music.

7. Rise Up, Tear Down

Our resistance has begun – the album does also have some serious messages. The key one is Rise Up, Tear Down, a track against hate. Therefor, the band is rather leaning towards a punk-alike song with a strong guitar participation. Don’t march to the beat of their drum, fuck all nazi scum! Nice one with a strong and clear message.

8. Onward We Go

Onward We Go spreads some more shanty feelings. However, the song is not really a soundtrack for a peaceful sailing cruise in the Irish Sea. The fast track rather feels like an Irish folk-rock speedboat ride (even though there are some slower parts as well). Fun, but not as crisp as other songs on the album.

9. Friendship, Whiskey and Beer

The title of this track could easily be a country music song. Indeed, the acoustic guitars are strumming in the background and spread quite some Americana vibes. The punk influence is rather limited. This turns the ninth track of Coming Home into a very special one in the context of the album.

10. Wishing Well

The speedy style, the rhythm is back with Wishing Well. The electric guitars are back as well – however, there is just a slight flavor of punk music in here again. The song is rather a very melodic folk-rocker which is having the ease of the beginning of the album. Finally, the song is rather made for dancing with the band than for a sing-a-long.

11. It’s All Up To You

The chucker-out of Coming Home is It’s All Up To You. The 4:14 minute song is the longest one on the album. The O’Reillys and the Paddyhats don’t present a real ballad in here, but the song is comparably slow and has a lovely and gentle flow. Again, they profit from their widespread instruments. For example, the fiddle is playing a key role in here. A nice way to say farewell from the album.

 

The O’Reillys and the Paddyhats – Coming Home – Spotify

Here is Coming Home on Spotify:

 

The O’Reillys and the Paddyhats – Coming Home – My View

Yeah, it is easy, the songs have some similarities – but you just cannot deny that Coming Home is fun. The O’Reillys and the Paddyhats released a eleven song party soundtrack, which is ensuring a lot of fun. I am sure that these guys are even better when they are on stage – some tour dates are below.

Favorite Song: United We Will Be

 

The O’Reillys and the Paddyhats at Eisheilige Nacht 2024

The band is touring as part of the Eishelige Nacht, a festival tour headded by Subway to Sally and featuring Warkings and Hapyie until the end of year:

Fr 20.12.2024 Dortmund (Germany) – Revierpark Wischlingen
Sa 21.12.2024 Gießen – Hessenhalle
Su 22.12.2024 Dresden – Alter Schlachthof
Th 26.12.2024 Braunschweig – Millenium Event Center
Fr 27.12.2024 Würzburg – Posthalle
Sa 28.12.2024 Bielefeld – Lokschuppen
Su 29.12.2024 Bremen – Pier 2
Su 30.12.2024 Potsdam – Waschhaus Potsdam Arena

 

The O’Reillys and the Paddyhats – Coming Home Tour 2025

In 2025, the band is headlining a tour through Germany, supported by The Rumpled:

Th 27.03.2025 Munich (Germany) – Backstage
Fr 28.03.2025 Frankfurt – Das Bett
Sa 29.03.2025 Oberhausen – Turbinenhalle 2
We 02.04.2025 Hamburg – Knust
Th 03.04.2025 Hanover – Musikzentrum
Fr 04.04.2025 Berlin – Columbia Theater
Sa 05.04.2025 Leipzig – Hellraiser

 

Music – Ruhrgebiet

Here are all my Music & Media postings related to the Ruhrgebiet in Germany:

 

Flyctory.com about Ireland

Here are all my postings related to Ireland:

 

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