The Dubs can do better, but not by much.
"Red" is, in my opinion, the third-best of the Dubs oeuvre. (And even then, "Breathe" only edges it out by a nose.) "Neverending," both versions, are moving and beautiful. The Waterboys's "Fisherman's Blues" is covered here with a jaunty tone; while it's very hard to screw up that song in the first place, the Dubs's more rock-flavored feel enhances it. (Traditionalists might do well by also looking for The Indulgers's excellent cover of the song, on their CD "Celtic Tiger;" in fact, everyone should go pick that up right this second.)

My only criticism is that I felt "Apart" and "One and Only" were oddly-paced, and the lyrics seemed a little to suggestive of a rhyming dictionary. Fortunately, others like the energetic "What Do You Want From Me," the powerful ballad "Don't You Worry," and the Celtic instrumental "Bodhran" more than make up for it.

Not bad...
This CD isn't all that bad, but I wouldn't get another of theirs. They have sold out shows and have become quite popular. Their CD was recommended to me by someone who works at concerts and has been to several of their shows and is well-rounded in both Scottish and Irish bands. This is a good band if you like Irish rock, but the band I recommend for Irish music is DEFFINATLY Flogging Molly. They have more Irish based music and have an assortment of songs that any Irish fan is sure to find favor in. For now, it's still Flogging Molly all the way!

Buy it!
I cannot tell you how many of my friends I have turned on to The Young Dubliners with this cd. They all love the fact that these guys aren't as mainstream as many of the bands out today. Then, once we go to one of their shows, it's done! They become a favorite of everyone I know. Plus, you know they have to be doing something right if Bernie Taupin was involved! These guys are great and very talented. I would recommend this cd to anyone and everyone.

Don't miss 'em live!
No, they're not to be confused with the other Dubliners. This six-man collective (from, err, Los Angeles) is very much their own group. Live, they have a stage presence that's undeniable and a blistering energy that's utterly infectious. On record.. they've gotten closer to conveying that same power with every studio album, but haven't quite reached it so far. Nevertheless, to my mind Red is unquestionably the strongest, most witty & fun album they've produced yet (except possibly for their newest release Absolutely, which I have yet to hear). A couple minor snags may set it back from a whopping five stars, but this is a wickedly enjoyable disc I haven't grown tired of listening to in almost two years.

There's only one distinction I feel the need to make about the Young Dubs, and that's that they're not strictly an Irish group: they're a modern rock band with some ingrained Celtic characteristics. Apart from the opening "Bodhran" (which is actually a violin-based dance reel with no particular emphasis on the bodhran itself), all of Red's Irish touches come from the steady fiddling and the rollicking pub feel to a couple of the choruses. I only feel like complaining about two small points. One, the 50/50 balance between hyper floor-stompers and slow sedate tunes makes for an uneven flow to the album. Two, "Apart" is an utter lyrical cliche.

It's still the songs that carry the whole thing, though, and most of those are fine indeed. "Change the World" and "Don't You Worry" are vastly improved from their past versions, the first finding new life in a wonderfully breezy upbeatness and the second being embellished with a fuller arrangement and a much more hearfelt performance. "One and Only" is effectively dark; "Neverending" and the title track are easy ballads with a great melodic charm. On the other side of the scale "Stop Me," "Is That Me?" and their cover of the Waterboys' "Fisherman's Blues" provide plenty of that rousing cheer we know and love. It's a little of everything, served up with a sound all their own.

Red isn't the strongest or most essential disc out there, but it's a treat for the ears nonetheless. And of course, if you ever get the chance, DON'T miss seeing them live.

Simply the best of the best!
Of my CD collection, this is the one at the top! This CD inspired me to see these guys in concert time after time. Bodrhan is the first track that gets you going! and it just doesn't stop. With this album, I have introduced many a friend to and they are all hopeless fans now!