There's some very nice piping and whistling, notably on "The Conundrum" and the rocking song/tune set "Big Dog/Trip to Pakistan". There are also some stellar moments (including a dual piping segment) in a "The Gravel Walk/Renwick's Ferret/Our Day Will Come/Clumsy Lover" marathon (along with a few meanders when the music loses focus). Kirk McLeod sings most of Seven Nations' strong collection of original songs as well as a couple of songs from other writers. A standout among these is Dominic Behan's "Crooked Jack", a bitter workingman's rewrite on "The Star of the County Down" melody. The band's playing suits the angry edge of the lyrics. They also give a fine reading of another powerful industrial song, "The Pound a Week Rise", sung by Anderson. Less effective is "Whiskey in the Jar", an over-familiar song which never transcends its Pogues-like stomp enough to be distinctive, and forgettable is a slow medley of "Scotland the Brave" and "Dixie".

Seven Nations bills Road Kill as a "warts and all" portrayal of their live shows. The energy of concert playing is certainly present, and I would view the main drawback as having not do with the playing, but rather a recorded sound lacking instrumental midrange on some cuts. While punchy, there's sometimes a feeling of a missing part. Seven Nations may not be to the taste of traditionalists, but if you like to rock they deliver the goods, and these live recordings would indicate that a good time was had by all.

Grade: B -- Doug Murray.