The fight for a better Ireland deserves songs that mirror the depth of the crisis, and in its endlessly captivating glory, ‘Skinty Fia’ rises triumphantly to the task.
It’s a fantastic album, containing poppy firecrackers like “Jackie Down The Line” and moments of timeless, mature lament such as “The Couple Across the Way”. [May 2022, p.28]
The youthful buoyancy of Dogrel has ebbed away, there's a chill deep into the bones of these big, bold songs. ... Fontaines D.C. sound full of new life. [May 2022, p.93]
On Skinty Fia, Fontaines DC have nailed their themes of urban decay and defiant immigrant soul. They just need to find the courage to fully emerge from the chrysalis of their indie and post-punk influences.
More than anything, however, Skinty Fia’s plodding progression and miserabilist overtones come across like cut-rate versions of Bauhaus’ chilly gothic vibes and the aforementioned Joy Division’s claustrophobic dirge, only without the benefit of the latter group’s inimitable basslines.
Fontaines DC continue their meteoric rise with studio album #3 coming 3 years on from their debut. They've also released the excellentFontaines DC continue their meteoric rise with studio album #3 coming 3 years on from their debut. They've also released the excellent "Kilmainham Gaol" live album as well in that period. While "Dogrel" and "A Hero's Death" were 2 sides of the same coin, "Skinnty Fia" shows progression on several levels. It is still quintessentially a guitar album and is unmistakably a Fontaines record but there are subtle changes both sonically and thematically that make this their finest hour to date. That said, it doesn't feel like the band have made their magnum opus quite yet. While certainly powerful and definitely a truly exciting and unique band, there is still a feeling that they are bubbling under. "Jackie Down the Line" and "I Love You" are the standout tracks. At 45 minutes, the album is excellently paced and seems to pass by quickly. Great stuff.…Expand
This band is evolving with every new album in the best way possible, Chatten’s lyrics have even more newfound depth, along with theThis band is evolving with every new album in the best way possible, Chatten’s lyrics have even more newfound depth, along with the instrumentals being much more punchy and deeper as well. As a whole its a very satisfying followup to their fantastic previous efforts.…Expand
Great 3rd album with 5/6 potential singles of of 10 tracks.
Jackie down the Line sounds as the catchiest tune since Wonderwall, Roman HolidayGreat 3rd album with 5/6 potential singles of of 10 tracks.
Jackie down the Line sounds as the catchiest tune since Wonderwall, Roman Holiday is a wonderful picture of the 90's drawn by someone who wasn't even born at that time. Impressive.
Very well done lads.…Expand
Far be it from me to criticise fellow users but giving this album a 1 or a 10 is ridiculous and a glimpse of the online world in microcosm.Far be it from me to criticise fellow users but giving this album a 1 or a 10 is ridiculous and a glimpse of the online world in microcosm. Extreme stances on fairly mundane subjects. The truth lies somewhere in between. I too saw these guys live recently and what they lack in musicality, they more than make up for in enthusiasm and showmanship. I do understand the point about tuneless repetition but the repetition is being used to drive the message home. The band is tight if unadventurous but they will grow in time. There are many superior bands in my town alone(NYC) but also many inferior. I like the ambition of the lyricist most of all even if it does occasionally sound like someone desperately trying to appear well cultured. . I really look forward to their next album.…Expand
The DC Fontaines transformed from an edgy, high energy (but tuneful) postpunk group into a routine mid-tempo pop band within three years. TheyThe DC Fontaines transformed from an edgy, high energy (but tuneful) postpunk group into a routine mid-tempo pop band within three years. They were nominated for a Grammy on their last one. They’ll probably get it this time.
There are some pleasant songs, such as “Bloomsday.” But I miss what Mojo calls their “youthful buoyancy” as evident in their amazing recent contribution to ..".Tribute to The Velvet Underground".…Expand
As with all Fontaines albums there are one or two nice moments on this album (usually when they allow their folkishness show) but they areAs with all Fontaines albums there are one or two nice moments on this album (usually when they allow their folkishness show) but they are becoming a real one-trick pony. Their music is snowed under by affectation and, more importantly, tunelessness. As much as I love the Irish accent, listening to their singer repeat the same phrase over and over (and over) in a dull monotone eventually becomes an exercise in endurance. There are echoes of a thousand bands in this album, (Joy Division, Bauhaus, Damien Dempsey, The Pogues) but they never get near the musical or lyrical quality of any of these. Dropping literary references here and there does not literature make but that's the ineluctable modality of the visible for you.…Expand
