AMG Review of Solar Shears

Dave Sleger
All Music Guide

This is Shooglenifty's first studio album since 1996's A Whisky Kiss. Like that album and its predecessor, Venus in Tweeds, Solar Shears creatively combines Scottish folk underpinnings with techno and worldbeat music. The end result is akin to a modern musical jaunt around the world. Their homeland Celtic roots are most obvious; however, hints of Mid-Eastern, Far Eastern, and American bluegrass are evident, with a foundation that alternates between groove-heavy techno or ambient with progressive rock & roll arrangements. Clearly progressive can imply many things in popular music, but Shooglenifty should not be haphazardly lumped into the predictable prog camps, as their music really defies categorization.