Extravaganza (Special Edition)

This is In Search of a Rose's third full-length album and the band's first since 1997's Fresh Lotus Surprise. While previous recordings were obviously influenced by alternative Irish and British folk groups like Oysterband and the Pogues as well as fellow German Celtic-rockers Fiddler's Green, Extravaganza is more toned down, both instrumentally and in attitude. There seems to be a concerted effort to adopt a more overall American alt-pop sound with this release, despite essentially the same personnel as before and the continued presence of folk instruments like banjo, accordion, fiddle mandolin, and tin whistle. Those instruments do appear in a predominantly backup role on this album, whereas previously they were the band's driving force. There are exceptions, however, as "Party Off Tunes" revisits their rambunctious former selves in classic Horslips style and "Folk 'n' Roll" is a prime example of how In Search of a Rose can successfully combine rock and folk music when inspired to do so.