A review of Quinn's Diaries
by John O'Regan
From Roots Magazine - June, 2000
Baltimore’s Donegal X-Press takes a wide-angled view on things Irish-based, playing Celtic rock Irish-American style high on gung ho attitude and all out pyrotechnics, but revealing a sensitive underbelly. They strive for and reach a viable balance. Their second album, Quinn's Diaries, gathers social observance, longing for home, and a veritable chronicle of crazy characters Rickie Lee Jones would kill for into one package.

They can go for the throat right but balance mania with poise and consistency. "Paddy's Lament" and a souped-up "Tell Me Ma" capture greased lightning bluster Irish-American style, while "Gifts Do I Bring" takes the traditional "Minstrel Boy" into rockabilly terrain with a creative ferocity not seen since The Clash’s "London Calling" period. On the other hand, "Omagh" and "Dangerous Games," high on sentiment but low on sentimentality, show their lyrical expertise.

The individual styles also flourish with the fiddle and whistle reels purring through the overall mix. Quinn's Diaries offers Irish American celticism, beat poetry, and rock and roll bravado delivered with cocksure enthusiasm. Mark Donegal X-Press down among the better US exponents of the Celtic rock genre.