1993's Irish to the Core, title notwithstanding, is actually one of the Wolfe Tones' less political albums. Of course, this doesn't mean that it'll suddenly appeal to members of the Ulster Unionists or anything; songs like "The Irish Brigade" and the wry ballad "The Night Before Larry Was Stretched" are as uncompromising as ever. But there's also a fair number of more traditional Irish folk tunes here, with little if any political content, and the overall mood is considerably lighter than it is on many of the group's more explicitly political albums. The sprightly jig "Cook in the Kitchen and the Rambling Pitchfork" wouldn't sound out of place on a Silly Wizard album. Irish folk enthusiasts worried about the political content of the Wolfe Tones' albums might find Irish to the Core a more agreeable introduction than most. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide
