Our Rating

User Rating

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

Loading...

Well it happened ‘los and ‘lettes! The 2nd Punk band to do a “Punk-Opera”. And leave it to Boston’s favorite Celtic Punk’s to do it. That’s right. None other than another band on KM’s “fantasy gathering performence lineup”, The Dropkick Murphys. This however is the longest gap between their records. I say Punk Opera cuz they’re talking about it being a concept album based on the band’s own personal experiences and family folklore all rolled up into the story of a fictional character named Cornelius Larkin.

Going Out in Style traces the journey of Larkin, whether it’s the Irish immigrant’s first person account of his own wake or the band’s in depth interpretation of his life and lineage throughout the album’s lyrics. According to bassist/vocalist, Ken Casy, “Cornelius has passed on to the other side, and the album becomes a retrospective of his life”. The liner notes for the album features an obituary for Larkin written by author Micheal Patrick MacDonald. The album also features guest appearances by some great musicians (one of them being a FUCKIN’ LEGEND!) and an actor/comedian as well as the bands family and friends.

Enough of that! I’m gonna get right to my fav songs for this on this review. The title track is one of those super cool “life in review if you’re watching your own wake as a ghost” type of thing with a big party full of all your friends. The song features Chris Cheney (From the band The Living End) Fat Mike (From NOFX) and Comedian/Actor Lenny Clarke (“Uncle Lenny” on the FX series Rescue Me). I swear I had this song on repeat since I popped this bad boy in my CD Player the first time. I don’t know but I love hearing bagpipes over fast punk melodies and songs that just make you wanna drink. This song makes me want to crack open a Longneck and go to town! The Hardest Mile is another concept song where they rolled it into a war story. Great song. There’s really nothing more to say on that. Memorial Day reminds me alot of some of their older songs such as “Far Away Coast” from “Do Or Die” and “The Dirty Glass” from “Blackout”. It’s a pretty damn good patriot song and I’d be more than proud to bump it on a National Holiday. Now to my last fav song from this CD. “Peg O’ My Heart” Is a song I’d love to play for that someday future Mrs. KM (where ever the fuck she is!). I just hear this song and picture people at a bar or wedding reception just dancin’ to this and seeing sparks fly. The really cool part about this is and I never thought I’d live to see a fuckin’ rock n’ roll legend jump on a Punk rock song and just straight up steal the show. Bruce FUCKIN’ Springsteen does lead vocals and even plays a lil guitar on this song with the boys. This song is surely a great get up and dance to jam for any type of party for real! I’m not joking here folks.

All in all DKM knocked this album out of the park like they always do. Than again everyone who reviews their albums have been saying that since “I’m Shipping Up To Boston” ended up as the theme for the movie “The Departed” back in 2006. But as a fan. I’m gonna straight up tell ya. Yea this album’s good. There’s some songs that kinda dragged the whole thing on but still kept the excitement going for the fans as Lead Vocalist Al Barr predicted it would. Well if Mr. Barr happens to find this review randomly one night He can clearly see that it can be confirmed. And if you have not had a chance to hear a Dropkick Murphys song or album before at all, then make this album your first. Then after you listen and like it, crack open a Faygo Root Beer, (or if you are 21 and up than a Cold Brew-ski) Kiss your lette, and just enjoy the good vibes. MCL

Track Listing

1. Hang Em High
2. Going Out In Style (Featuring Chris Cheney of The Living End, Fat Mike of NOFX, & Lenny Clarke)
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 (Featuring Bruce Springsteen)
13. The Irish Rover

Websites

DropKickMurphys.com

Record Label:

• Born & Bred Records

Release Date:

• 03/01/2011

Reviewer:

• KM