by Dave DonnellyMullingar, Co. Westmeath troupe the Blizzards play a razor sharp blend of Two-Tone ska, perfect pop, and observational new wave. On the group's debut album A Public Display of Affection, frontman Niall Breslin waxes lyrical on the themes of sex toys, Viagra, and gold-diggers as successfully as he does more traditional topics like failing relationships and unrequited love. He displays a sharp wit and a refreshing ability to poke fun at himself throughout his lyrical tracts, and the music is just as multi-various, ranging from the slide-assisted country-rock of single "War of Words" to dynamic, hard-edged ska punk on "Dangerous *****es" and "Black Hole." "First Girl to Leave Town" laments the departure of a lover for New York to bigger and better opportunities, and exposes endless small town frustrations as a result, while "Why Do You Fancy Scumbags?" is similarly serious in tone, despite the playful language, wondering out loud why the bad boys always get the girl. The … » Read more