Host "First Kiss"

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Host
Tryal
LP
(Changeling Music, 1983)

Screw U2. Horslips and Thin Lizzy are the most important Irish bands. After Horslips split in the very early '80s, the members all continued to play music. Three of them (John, Charles and Eamon) played together as Host and released this album, plus some singles.

The sound is on the new wave end of things, a direction Horslips had started heading with their album The Man Who Built America. Like The Táin, Horslips' second album, Tryal is a concept album. In this case, though, it's the true story of Bridget Cleary, who was murdered by her husband Michael in 1895, rather than an ancient Irish legend.

Michael was convinced she was a fairy changeling, who had replaced his actual wife. The town tried her (this included torture) but found she was human. Undeterred, Michael continued to interrogate her, then threw her on an open fire, doused her with lamp oil, and watched her burn to death. He was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years.