Great things have been predicted for Rubyhorse, a Cork band who relocated to Boston, started a residency at an Irish pub and wound up being signed to U2's record label. Sadly, their debut album suggests that they had grave trouble transferring their reportedly stunning live show into the studio. Rise is a rather stodgy collection of dated Celtic rock, which blusters about for the best part of an hour without ever really threatening to become very interesting. Moreover, many of the arrangements here have been augmented by beats and samples, which feel distinctly out of place and fail to raise the excitement levels. Everything about Rise feels solid, professional and very expensive - but that's not much consolation for the general lack of inspiration on show. Looks like liftoff will have to be delayed for another while yet.
