What is great about punk music is its simplicity: catchy, fast tunes stripped down to the core, and still unique enough to sometimes become anthems. When someone like Mike Ness, Eddie Spaghetti, Jesse Malin or in this case Ricky Warwick grows older, often gives up long hair and their teenage rage their sound tends to change, but their spirit usually remains. The catchy simple tunes are still there, and they’re stripped even more; down to an acoustic guitar and a voice tasting of beer and cigarettes. Welcome to Americana, Punk musics favourite daughter.

Almighty are not forgotten, if you listen carefully to the opener 'Can’t wait for tomorrow' they’re still there somewhere. “Belfast Confetti” is Ricky Warwick emodied; the man, the stories, even the anecdotes he uses to entertain live between songs and of course Northern Ireland.

What I found different from Mike Ness’s or Eddie Spaghetti’s solo work is that, although retaining the country acoustic element, “Belfast Confetti” is not so *Americana* after all. There is more than a taste of Irish folk in 'The Arms of Belfast Town' and 'Belfast Confetti', which I guess you can expect. 'Angel of Guile', 'Born Fighting' or 'Don’t hurt a fool' are something you’re more likely to listen to in an Irish pub rather than in a bar on Austin’s Sixth Street. You also get tracks like 'If you’re gonna bleed (wear black)' with a sprinkle of Bruce Springsteen, but it is this blend of influences that in the end gives “Belfast Confetti” its own identity.

I had the luck of seeing Ricky Warwick playing a gig with Eddie Spaghetti of the Supersuckers, and it was an amazing, intimate experience, including probably one of the best covers of 'Ring of Fire' I've heard so far. Both Ricky and Eddie could be seen hanging around with family and fans before the show. There were no Almighty, no Supersuckers, no rockstars, just two men telling their story, with a smile. It was a warm feeling, a bit like going back home for Christmas, all sat around the tree unwrapping presents with the fireplace on.

I started following Ricky Warwick on Facebook/Twitter since, and his updates are just like his songs: full of love for his family and his land, and gratitude for being able to do what he does for a living. “Belfast Confetti” is not an album to rock out to, it is in fact extremely mellow [apart from the first couple of tracks and 'Hank's Blues'], but if you need an injection of inner peace, then I’ve got good news for you: Ricky Warwick found it and he’s happy to share, for the bargain price of one CD.