Album Notes

YES, this is the music you heard on the BLACK DONNELLYS promotion spot for NBC TV. The song: LOST

Cool, contagious and incendiary, Toronto pipe-rock band Mudmen is as fun as it is fierce, powerful as it is party-full. On its self-titled debut, the songs make it appear that having two bagpipes in a rock band is as natural as having bass, guitar and drums. From the boisterous reinforcement of "In My Head" with its melodic pipes to the single, "5 O'clock," a pub-pop song infused with Scottish war calls, the Toronto sextet have forged a sound that's unique and contemporary.

Zoy Nicoles is the MUDMEN frontman and lead singer. At the core of this sound are burly bagpiping brothers Rob and Sandy Campbell whose stature and strength are as mesmerizing as their playing skills. On the album, the pair bends, twists and manipulates the traditional instrument beyond its standard range. Just note the spaghetti-western Celtic rumbling of the rallying rocker "Underdog," the plaintive pipes on the ballad "Lost" and subtle creepiness of "Coma." Then there's the full-out Celtic pump of "Wasting Time," the anthemic "Winners," punk attitude of Captain Tractor's "Drink & Fight" and the instrumental "Masons Apron" -- all fuel for one helluva rockin' ceilidh. "We wanted it to be tough," says Rob. "Right from the beginning, no love songs. We wanted to come out with rockin' high intensity music that would work up a crowd."