After Hours: Forward to Scotland's Past
Battlefield Band · 1987
58 min · 16 tracks · traditional folk music
A vibrant tapestry of traditional Scottish folk sounds woven with contemporary influences and storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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After Hours / The Green Gates / The Ship in Full Sail — The opening track sets the tone for the album with its seamless blend of different tunes, showcasing both musical versatility and deep-rooted folk traditions.
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The Dear Green Place — This song poignantly captures the essence of Scottish identity and nostalgia, using vivid imagery to paint a picture of the beauty found in familiar landscapes.
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I Am the Common Man — This track stands out for its compelling lyrics that express solidarity among everyday people, embodying a sense of shared experience and community spirit.
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The Snows of France and Holland — This reflective piece draws on historical themes, illustrating the impact of war through poignant storytelling, which connects past events to contemporary reflections.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional and contemporary elements effectively, though its cohesion suffers from varied pacing.
What we noticed
- The pacing varies significantly; some tracks maintain a lively tempo while others slow down for reflective storytelling, affecting the overall flow.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- lively tunes for social gatherings
- invigorating energy for outdoor activities
- nostalgic storytelling through melodies
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- celebratory vibes for festive occasions
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, contemplative listening
- seek single-track focus
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1987, 'After Hours: Forward to Scotland's Past' marked Battlefield Band's seventh album, solidifying their role as pioneers in the revival of traditional Scottish music. At this point in their career, they were transitioning from a purely folk-centric approach to incorporating more experimental elements while maintaining their cultural roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Altan· Lúnasa· The Chieftains
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 After Hours / The Green Gates / The Ship in Full Sail 3:35
- 2 Frideray 2:59
- 3 A Chance as Good as Any / Reid's Rant 3:22
- 4 Anthem 3:33
- 5 The Dear Green Place 4:50
- 6 Look Across the Water / Mrs. Garden of Troup / The Keelman Ower Land 4:32
- 7 The Green Plaid 3:50
- 8 Mary Cassidy 2:35
- 9 I Am the Common Man 3:03
- 10 The St. Kilda Girl's Lament / The St. Kilda Wedding March 2:55
- 11 The Lads o' the Fair 4:04
- 12 The Sauchiehall Street Salsa (McHugh's Other Foot) (The Man with Two Women) 3:10
- 13 The Boar and the Fox 4:08
- 14 The Battle of Waterloo / Kilcoy's March / The Quaker 5:14
- 15 The Snows of France and Holland 3:43
- 16 Bad Moon Rising / The Rising Moon Reel 3:11
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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