Learning To Dance For Flannigan's Ball (The Meanest Of Times - Dropkick Murphys)

Member Name: Andy.mack

Product:	The Meanest Of Times - Dropkick Murphys
Date:	14/10/09 (26 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A good combination of musical ability and lyrics that moves them forward again

Disadvantages: None

Formed back in 1996 the Dropkick Murphys returned in 2007 with their 6th studio album The Meanest Of Times. They aren't perhaps the most well known band in the UK but in America they seem to be gathering a bigger following with every album. Based in Boston they are heavily involved in the American Irish music scene in the area and with connections to the Boston sport teams their influence and status continues to grow. Their unique blend of American punk and Irish folk seems to give them a larger potential audience and it's a combination that they do particularly well.

They draw their influences from the likes of traditional Irish bands like the Dubliners and also from more traditional punk bands like Thin Lizzy and The Sex Pistols. The combination of the two styles works rather well and Dropkick Murphys are perhaps the masters at this style. They have of course got competition from the likes of Flogging Molly and NOFX but I think the Murphys are certainly the best I've heard.

This 6th album was recorded in Stoughton, Massachusetts and stays true to the bands musical outlook. Whilst staying true to their original philosophy this album sees the band take a step forward and like each album before it this album is actually better than those before it. Whilst musically they have always sounded pretty good it's the quality of the tracks that seems to improve with each album. Their lyrical and musical content seems to be evolving a little and while sticking to their routes they are able to great something that sounds unique to them and keeps them sounding fresh.

Of course like most punk bands they use the guitars as a good grounding for the rest of the tracks and it works well. When you consider there are 2 guitars and a bass on each track they manage to join them together to create a very unique sound. Backed up by the drums and the bagpipes the band have found the perfect use for the pipes and their use on tracks isn't too overwhelming. They are obviously spending a lot more time on writing tracks and it seems to be working for them as their sound continues to develop.

While they sound far better musically the lyrical content of the tracks seems to be advancing at the same rate. In tracks such as "Vices and Virtues" and "The State Of Massachusetts" the lyrical content and meaning in the tracks is far more deep and meaningful than on past albums. Of course while the lyrics seem to be taking on a different slant the vocals of Al Barr and Ken Casey are as strong as ever and like their musical combination the combination of the two lead singers adds another edge to the Murphy's sound.

It would be fair to say that as their own song writing gets stronger they might have moved away from the more traditional songs but thankfully that isn't the case. There are still covers of the older Irish folk tracks with "Flannigan's Ball", "Fairmount Hill" and Thin Lizzy's "Jailbreak" all featuring on this album. There are also guest vocals on "Flannigans Ball" from the late Dubliners legend Ronnie Drew and former Pogues singer Spider Stacey. The album is a good combination of old and new tracks and with a pretty fast pace it has a very unique energy that works really well for the Murphy's.

Overall this may be the bands 6th outing but I think it is fair to say that it is perhaps their best. They are starting to really establish themselves in America as a huge band and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before they make the transition and really crack Britain. This is an excellent album and now 2 years on its still getting better with every listen. It would be fair to say that the Dropkick Murphy's have a very unique and distinctive sound but if you like punk, rock or Irish folk I'd advise you to check them out.

Amazon: £8.98
Amazon Marketplace: £6.99

Summary: Another excellent album from Boston's Dropkick Murphys