What would be St. Patricks Day without the Dropkick Murphys? Their new album landing just before the greatest beer drinking holiday and it’s another solid effort from the boys from Boston. Their Celtic inspired punk rock is infectious. It’s music that inspires drunken singalongs, arm around your best mate with beer (Guinness, no less) held high.
Going Out In Style is loosely based on the fictitious character Cornelius Larkin, an Irish immigrant and his tales are based on personal stories from the band. The concept has allowed for some great storytelling and some great songs. From the fun singalong of ‘Going Out In Style’ to the stinging attack on a ex-friend in Deeds Not Words’and the reliving of the past and going to hardcore shows in Sunday Hardcore Matinee, this album stacks up as one the best Dropkick albums for some time.
Featuring guests such as Bruce Springsteen on Peg o’ My Heart’and NOFX’s Fat Mike and The Living Ends Chris Cheney on the title track and utilising an array of instruments including the bagpipes and mandolin. Musically, this album leans more towards the folk side but still has that Dropkick Murphy punk punch that has won them legions of fans across the world.
While I was disappointed with their set at No Sleep Til last year and I was a bit skeptical on first listen of this album, it has grown on me and gets a daily run with a new favourite track each day. Dropkick Murphys still have it and Going Out In Style has inspired many pints of Guinness for this reviewer.
