Dropkick Murphys - Going Out in Style
Rating
RIYL
Flogging MollySocial Distortion
Street Dogs
Flatfoot 56
Release Date
03/01/2011
Tracklist
1. Hang 'Em High2. Going Out In Style
3. The Hardest Mile
4. Cruel
5. Memorial Day
6. Climbing A Chair To Bed
7. Broken Hymns
8. Deeds Not Words
9. Take 'Em Down
10. Sunday Hardcore Matinee
11. 1953
12. Peg O' My Heart
13. The Irish Rover
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There’s really not much you can say about a band that redefined punk rock with bagpipes, accordions and mandolins who have also been doing it all for well over a decade. The Dropkick Murphys are no strangers to a scene that is hard up for mass appeal, yet somehow these guys put the biggest spin on the genre and are by far one of the biggest names in the game. Well this year marks the release of the Murphys’ seventh studio album, Going Out In Style. If there’s one thing I can tell you about this album before I officially start my review, it’s this: the Murphys are on top of their game and they’re doing it all while rejuvenating their sound and releasing what may very well be one of the best releases we’ve yet to see from these gentlemen.
Going Out In Style is thirteen tracks of not only relentless Celtic punk rock but a refreshing release upon the punk industry as a whole. And how do the Murphys keep their sound fresh while still holding onto their roots? A concept album. That’s right kiddies, Going Out In Style is a take on the life and journey of fictional war vet and Irish immigrant Cornelius Larkin. The album gets in your face immediately with “Hang ’Em High,” which is the most appropriate song to commence the album with due to its battle anthem like sound. This track is the epitome of the band's sound; it’s like a war between punk rock and Irish folk in the middle of the back-country while it’s raining Guinness and Jameson. “Going Out In Style” is Larkin’s take on his funeral as he apologizes to everyone he’s wronged in his life and buys them all one last shot as a gesture towards righting his wrongs. It should be noted that this track hosts some guest appearances by NOFX’s Fat Mike, The Living End’s Chris Cheney and actor/comedian Lenny Clarke.
While “The Hardest Mile” maintains the normal pint clanking, foot stomping, arm around your drinking buddy sound that we’re used to hearing from the Boston brutes, “Cruel” holds a slightly more somber mood to it. The lyrics could interpreted as Larkin describing some form of torment going on in his head, calling out ignorance and cruelty, then in another breath calling it out as being beautiful and kind. The song definitely slows down the tempo of the album, but it’s not even to be recognized as a speed bump. Overall the track fits perfectly and flows effortlessly into “Memorial Day." While still on the Irish folk side of things, “Memorial Day” brings out the band's inner punk just enough to bring awareness to the rebel-rousing lyrical content. Basically, the track is a filler-upper to get you ready to slam your beer again during “Climbing A Chair To Bed,” which is one hell of a boot stompin’ good time.
The Murphys bring us back to home and show us once again that they are truly the best at what they do. “Broken Hymns” tells a story within a story. Along the same lines as “Cruel,” “Broken Hymns” has a more steady and heartfelt echo to it and it’s probably the best you will hear Al Barr and Ken Casey belt out their lyrical contributions in harmony. Honestly, the song is beautiful… yeah, I said it, a Dropkick Murphys song is beautiful. Don’t judge me. Basically it is one of the most well written and cohesive songs I have heard from these gentlemen so far in their career. I’m going to skip ahead to the shit-stirrin’, union proud song, “Take ‘Em Down.” It’s not the most musical of songs on the album, considering it’s mostly comprised of claps but it’s definitely one hell of a middle finger to the man and a true blue-collar salute.
Now Dropkick switches it up a bit with “Sunday Hardcore Matinee.” They steer off course of the concept a bit and give a salute to their roots: 80’s hardcore. Before I close this review out with my sign-off paragraph, I want to touch on the most surprising track on the album. When I first listened to, I hadn’t read any liner notes and I got to “Peg Of My Heart,” which is a classic love-struck tune generously covered throughout the years and I noticed a familiar voice, a voice that isn’t a normality in the Murphys lineup. So I listened a couple more times while slamming some Sammy A’s and it hit me like Micky Ward in his prime… The Boss himself, Mr. Bruce Springsteen lent some helping vocal cords to contribute to the album.
Say what you want about punk, say what you want about the Dropkick Murphys, the truth is this: these dudes may be getting older but they sure as hell aren’t going anywhere soon. This album may very well be the finest work they have released in numerous years. Not only does it encompass a refreshing sound for these boys, but it also maintains the shit out of their roots. Listen, don’t sit here and try and have me coax you into listening to this album because if you don’t… well honestly, you’re an idiot. Go buy this album, scoop up a case of Samuel Adams, go home and crank this motha’ up. And if none of that sounds appealing to you, St. Pattys Day is right around the corner, so use that as an excuse to get into this album.
--Bill Lohr
Comments
Minnesota
If you dislike this band, you suck at life. That's all you need to know.
That and right now this is only $5 on Amazon. So don't be a stingy dope. Buy this shit.
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Copperas Cove, TX
Amazing and but I'm not about to buy digital music, I'll wait until they put it out on vinyl or I get to see them live!
"Let no one know that God hasn’t any friends and if wilderness is found laid out across your heart, then child I do understand that you haven’t a clue of where to start." -Me.
Reno, NV
Hope you don't have to wait too long! I am completely a digital boy, no sense living in the past when digital is the present and future. Agreed that live shows are where its at though. But I won't wait on music for the most part, if digital is there I am the first to take advantage of it. Although I live out west and am not all about the celtic/irish/drunken punk rock as those back East, I can't deny the music is awesome and puts you in the beer drinkin, party mood for sure.
Current Listenings:
Psychollywood - Psychollywood
Royal Thunder - Cvi
The Next Hundred Years - Troppo
Kyng - Trampled Sun
Kill Devil Hill - Kill Devil Hill
San Diego, CA
Too old to bother, too young to give a shit.
Minnesota
I'll always like Sing Loud, Sing Proud the best, truthfully. Do or Die is probably the album of theirs I enjoy the least (but it's still good!). This is definitely a solid album and shows the band still at the top of their game.
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Lehigh Valley, PA
Seeing/ Interviewing them tonight.