The Guzzlers Debut Album ‘Drinking The Dream’ Is A Spirited Debut Full of Heart and Irish Charm
Irish brother duo The Guzzlers have released their highly anticipated debut album, Drinking The Dream. Recorded live and entirely acoustically, the album is a heartfelt collection of songs that gives the brothers the opportunity to tell their story in a truly authentic way.
They moved to Liverpool last summer from Limerick and since then have created an outstanding reputation for themselves. From busking themselves into gigs at the Jacaranda to earning a residency at Anfield stadium, the O’Dowds are certainly at the beginning of something special.
The debut album blends rowdy, vibrant tracks with introspective songs about grief and regret. As a listener, you’re taken on a journey through the album alongside the brothers.
The track that kicks everything off, 20 Pints to Cherbourg, was birthed on the ferry from Dublin to France where the brothers found themselves entertaining their fellow passengers with irish songs. A catchy tune that is bound to get people on their feet. The Drunken Tales of Gerry MacLean is an ode to that one man in every irish pub, a jangly track that celebrates community and togetherness.
Killarney is about an American falling for an irish girl and take us along on his journey to find the one that got away. With a persistent melody throughout, the instruments are a perfect match to the lryics and story telling. Next up is Long Way From Home, this track is full of anticipation and reflection as it was written just before the big move to Liverpool. Little did Tom and Cian know, that move may just be the best decision they ever make.
A love letter to the city that welcomed the brothers with open arms, The Irish Town of Liverpool is a more personal piece from the album. Describing the city as a ‘town’ really points to the locals that allow the place to feel so connected. They said,“What makes it special is the people, the history, the energy. The Irish connection is something the scouse hold dear and it’s that passion that helped inspire this song.” This is where the centre of the album takes a new direction away from stories at the pub towards a more heartfelt and distinctive theme. Grief is a mellow track with an insight to navigating loss in multiple different ways. It’s about anything that leaves a mark on you, something leaving without a real goodbye. Here, The Guzzlers really connect with their audience by introducing sensitive topics that many people relate to.
The title track Drinking The Dream is about failure and instead of feeling ashamed of personal troubles, the brothers embrace them- maintaining the Irish identity of resilience. The song is about regret of losing the dreams you once had but lyrically it puts the brothers in a place of emotional vulnerability. As the lads put it: “There are two sides to this album – the funny stories people love, and the real grief, loneliness and pain that came with writing them. Irish music has always embraced the hardships of life rather than hide from them, and we feel it’s our duty to do the same.”
Spirits are lifted with the lively song, A Pint Of Plain Is Your Only Man continues the theme of pub culture and explains how a pint of stout will never let you down even if everything else does. This tune is type you would hear walking into a packed out pub with everyone singing along. Temporarily slowing things down, Mermaid Of Folklore is a track that brings realisation to the spotlight. Whilst mermaids are traditionally ambiguous, this cleverly named song brings everything to the forefront as if it was clear as day.
The last but certainly not least song closing the album is, Horse Fair City. A dive into the nostalgia of the ‘good old days’ but it also serves as a reminder to go out and create your own stories whilst you still can. It’s about being present and appreciating where you are right now.
This album takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, allowing you to embody Irish pub culture as well as slow things down to allow space for reflection and realisation. As they continue their rise to musical greatness, Tom and Cian are joining The Highstool Prophets at three of their shows in December.
The Guzzlers’ Drinking The Dream is out now on all major streaming platforms.
The Guzzlers will play Liverpool’s O2 Academy with The Highstool Prophets on 11 December.
Follow @theguzzlers_band on Instagram for updates.
