Dropkick Murphys

Sounding like a concert, The Dropkick Murphys power through another mix of new and traditional Celtic flavored tunes. The emphasis here is on the personal as tales of triumph and courage are the mainstays; all pulled off with the Murphys typical bravado. Particularly clever is "Wicked Sensitive Crew" that has some fun with the whole idea of this punk band becoming "touchy-feely." It's nice to hear the band actually sing on songs like "The Burden"and Eric Bogle's beautiful "The Green Fields of France." because occasionally all the yelling can become grating, but you can't deny the energy. Woody Guthrie's "I'm Shipping up to Boston gets the Murphy treatment and is transformed into a pounding rocker and the closer of the Red Sox anthem "Tessie" seems an appropriate finish to this collection of sentiment and emotion, as presented by Boston's preeminent Celtic punk rockers.

Great CD, hard core but inspired. My first Dropkick Album but I will buy more.

This is a classic dropkick murphy cd. Highlights are Shipping Back to Boston, and Tess. It's the best Irish Punk group around.

The Dropkick Murphys have singlehandedly given both punk and Irish music a much needed shot in the behind. If you haven't heard them, they sing a mix of original and traditional Irish songs LOUD complete with rock sentiment and yep, bagpipes.

"The Green Fields of France" penned by Eric Bogle will break your heart if you hear it sung quietly. This warrior's lament starts at the graveside of a fallen World War I soldier and tells of the senselessness of war. DKM changes the whole complexion of the song.

"Tessie" commemorates the love affair between Boston and the Red Sox. Could turn even me into a baseball fan.

Can you really be tongue in cheek when you're screaming lyrics? "Wicked Sensitive Crew" is wickedly funny.

If you like either Irish or punk, give these songs a listen. In my opinion, "Warrior's Code" is the best of the DKM music---so far!

Rebecca Kyle, June 2008

It won't. This album rocks steady from the first track to the last taking a slight break in "green fields of France" then immediately going back to full steam ahead. This was my first Dropkick Murphy's album and you better believe I'll be buying more after what I heard here.

I adore all of DKM's efforts including this one, however, Blackout is their zenith. One of the best albums ever produced IMO.

DKM have finally made an album that blends everything they can do together into a cohesive, fresh sound.

"The Warriors Code" was a range proving album. It showed all sides of the Dropkick Murphys, from blistering hardcore to hearfelt balladry. It had pop songs, punk songs, Irish songs, all matched with the usual heart on their sleeves, brothers till the end lyrics.

But "The Meanest Of Times" does the same thing, only all of it blends all at once! Now you get Irish pop punk, Irish hardcore, hard ballads, punk covers of traditional Irish songs... its a hard thing to explain just right, but like, you know how their albums would have a song that sounded more Irish influenced and heartfelt and then following that song would be a kickin' punk song that didn't sound at all like the last track?

Well now you get those two things IN THE SAME SONG!!!

Remember on "The Warriors Code" how the pop of the "The Burden" rolled right into the shoulda-been-a-Dead-Kennedy's-song hardcore of "Citizen CIA"??? On this album, you get stuff like that put together in the SAME SONG!

Which makes this album more monolithic than their previous ones, but it WORKS! Heck, I'd say its their best album yet! Its like someone stapled the usual Irish stuff to the mostly street punk of "The Gangs All Here!"

Its a very word-heavy album too, the lyrics are darn good but there's so MANY of them that Al Barr and Ken Kasey are practically tripping over each other to spit out every line. That and the guys vocals are sometimes very... priate-y. I don't know how else to explain it, they cross the line from normal, throaty, Oi shouters to pirates in a few songs.

But no matter, the album as a whole is very VERY solid, lots of good hooks and energy and some truly meaningful lyrics. Its nice to finally see these guys nail an entire album. All the previous ones have had their hills and valleys, this one is just all good.

By the way, I caught them on tour for this thing. Good show but the crowd was insane, don't go unless you wanna get stuck in a mosh pit (I didn't want to but I did!). Also, Ken Kasey is getting FAT!

I have started to listen to these guys on the radio and I love them. It sounds like that they have fun playing. Very different then what I have ever heard before.

Just can't get enough of this band. Just saw them live in Seattle, WOW, it was great to sing along with them to Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya. The State of Massachusetts is fantastic, they make this girl proud to be Irish.

It is classic Dropkicks. If you are a Dropkicks fan you will love this one.

Perhaps the best they have to offer...an earlier album, but one that stands up to the test of time. Still relevant, important and genre defining. Buy it.

Even if they'd never made another album, the Dropkick Murphys' reputation would be secure. Viewed through the prism of a decade since its release, "Do or Die" is still a great album.

Founded in 1996 by Mike McColgan (vocals) and his Boston area mates, Rick Barton (guitar and vocals), Ken Casey (bass and vocals), and Matt "Tough Sticks" Kelly (drums), the Dropkick Murphys played Celtic punk, merging the boys' Irish musical sensibilities with hardcore punk and rock (think Clash, AC/DC, and the Pogues). The resulting merge of poetry, heart, social awareness, and head-stomping rock is both fiercely effective and affecting.

"Do or Die" (recorded in the fall of 1997, released January 1998) opens with bagpipes, an appropriate Cadence to Arms before we plunge into the title track; Do or Die is a rallying cry: "The once steel tough fabric of the union man was sold and bartered away; fed to money wolves in the Reagan years; caught adrift in greedy nineties' days..." Following on, Get Up is another rallying cry, this time to the kids of all those working class fathers whose jobs were pissed away: "We all fall down. So get up now!" These "punks" won't waste their lives.

Never Alone is a boisterous declaration of tribal affinity, as Bostonians, blue collar Irish Americans, street kids, punks. After the first four rockers, the fifth song, Caught in a Jar is a stunner. McColgan and Barton write, "Now there comes a day in every man's life where decisions have to be made: whether to toil, to labor, or just plain piss your days away, away, away..." The chorus sounds like a cheer, but it's really a harsh caution about drinking your earthly despair to more permanent damnation: "Got a funny feeling that my times are caught in a jar; madness and insanity have arrived; know to Christ and everyone else my times are caught in a jar; Satan's grin is bearing down on me."

Wow! After that dose of reality it's time for some musical lemonade of the foot stomping variety. Memories Remain serves the need well. Road of the Righteous also rocks, but describes a path most would rather not take: putting a plug in your head in the hope that the wife and kids will be able to pay a few bills post demise.

Next, the band really kicks you in the head. A soldier in the first Gulf War, McColgan writes and sings a lament that echoes from WW I to present day: "Here in the trenches the fist of the Beast, for fear of an atmosphere poisoned deceased, with a gas mask to keep me from breathing my death, it's American soil I hope for at best..."

The Dropkick Murphys rev up again though with one of their best rockers ever, Fightstarter Karaoke, Ken Casey and Rick Barton reminding everyone that back home we're all in this together, "It doesn't take a big man to knock somebody down, just a little courage to lift him off the ground!"

A portrait of the neighborhood's sad/tough drunk, likely one of many in Dropkick Murphy land and yours, Barroom Hero strikes home. The album then falls off for a couple songs, with 3rd Man In and Tenement Enemy #1 failing to catch ear or mind - until Finnegan's Wake roars the listener back to attention, Dropkick Murphy style.

Noble fondly recalls the boys' friend Rob Noble, "cut down in a brutal fight". The album ends with Boys on the Docks, a rousing Casey & Barton tribute to Boston's John Kelly, and Skinhead on the MBTA, an update of the classic "Charlie on the MTA" with suitable punk sensibility - this time it's a skinhead stuck on the train.

Altogether, "Do or Die" is a superb album, one that measures favorably with the genre's best, from producer/engineer Lars Frederickson's (Rancid) "And Out Come the Wolves", which preceded the Murphys' "Do or Die" by a couple years, to Social Distortion's "White Light, White Heat, White Trash" or Flogging Molly's "Drunken Lullabies". Big-time Clash fans, the Dropkick Murphys would also be glad to know they made Joe Strummer proud.

McColgan moved on after this studio debut to try his hand as a Boston firefighter before forming Street Dogs, while the Dropkick Murphys continued on in fine form with singer Al Barr (guitarist Rick Barton eventually left, too.) Both continue to put out top-notch punk. Pick up the Dropkick Murphys' "The Gang's All Here" or "Sing Loud, Sing Proud"; also try Street Dogs' debut "Savin Hill" or 2006's "Fading American Dream".

The title says it all, Im so happy I bought it and I listen to it all the time :)

As a UK child of the 70s, punk was truly "my music", and I have always been well pleased to see punk enjoyed, albeit discreetly, by many American audiophiles. However, American bands struggle to stay true to the form and, at the risk of offending, I must say that I don't believe there are more than 3-4 genuinely good genuinely punk rock bands in the USA (and I'll shorten the list for you - the Ramones were never punks).

All that being said, the Dropkicks fall into the category of true punk bands, and while I didn't even run across this band until the late 90s, I can't get enough of their stuff, no matter who the lead singer is. As other reviewers here point out, they are anti-establishment without being nihilistic, they're blue collar, they write great anthems, and they are fast and raucous and pure fun! This album, while very early in their discography, is a definite high-water mark for the band, in my opinion, with almost every track a hit. Later albums have lots of great songs on them, but "Do or Die" will always be, for me, the definitive DKM album you share with UK critics of US punk, to showcase the very best of what American punks can do.

great CD, necessary to own if you like their music. I'm going to see them in concert in march...

Its a great CD. I play it all the time. Definitely a must buy

What an awesome cd... i bought a flogging molly cd as well but dropkick murphy's are better by FAR!!

As I write this review, I'm still nursing myriad bruises and minor injuries from spending the entire Dropkick show in the pit two days ago. This band is one of the rare few that's just as good live, not to mention an incredible amount of fun.

I have owned four copies of "Sing Loud, Sing Proud" and given them all away. I ought to start buying it in bulk. When I try to describe Dropkick to the uninitiated, I end up with "They're an Irish punk band outta Boston." But that doesn't come close to covering their unique energy and hard-core yet feelgood sound.

At their show, I made friends with a bunch of guys in their forties wearing Boston ballcaps, a punker couple in their early twenties, and people of all other ages and tastes. Loving Dropkick transcends all else, really - they're like a cult without the Koolaid.

Buy this album, memorize this album, play this album while partying, drinking, fighting, and everything else. It's a very good soundtrack to one's life. Enjoy.

thats exactly how this album feels! you know, some irish songs and influences are good, but this is ridiculous. when 95% of your lyrical content is irish at least keep it interesting.(spicy mchaggis jig??? what the....?) so i say if your even interested in this cd or something 95% irish, get drunken lullabies or swagger by flogging molly instead, if you dont already have them. id also recommend the new murphys cd "the warriors code" if you want faster irish music done good. i give it 2 stars because its not nearly as bad as some of the other stuff out there. oh yeah rocky road to dublin kicks arse....thats about the only reason to even put this cd on. easily the worst DKM album

Disappointed in this one. Too much noise and not enough punk guitars pounding. I'd say to the Murphys: please leave the "anthems" up to the Pogues. Get DO OR DIE instead.

Many people seem to slate this album because it is seen as a departure from Do or Die. While that album was by for a more raw Oi!punk sound this album does have its merits.

DM give us the same Oi! chants, Irish heritage and lyrics about drinking that have made them popular. Track that stands out for me is "Fields of Athenry" Great to hear it rendered into an Oi! track (Wonder if the DM know it is a popular terrace song of Liverpool fans (all be it with the lyrics changed to "Fields of Anfield Road"))

Outside the Shankly Gates
I heard a Kopite calling
Shankly they have taken you away
But you left a great eleven
Before you went to heaven
Now it's glory round the Fields of Anfield Road.

All round the Fields of Anfield Road
Where once we watched the King Kenny play (and he could play)
We had Heighway on the wing
We had dreams and songs to sing
Of the glory round the Fields of Anfield Road

Outside the Paisley Gates
I heard a Kopite calling
Paisley they have taken you away
You led the great 11
Back in Rome in 77
And the Redmen they are still playing the same way
All round the Fields of Anfield Road
Where once we watched the King Kenny play (and he could play)
We had Heighway on the wing
We had dreams and songs to sing
Of the glory round the Fields of Anfield Road

The DM have often been compared to Cock Sparrar and Sham 69 and that would probably be a fair comparaison. Don't know why anyone would have a problem with the DM celebrating their Irish heritage this is a pretty good album.

Well worth a listen.

In my mind, alot the people that hated this album are just mad at the fact that the Dropkick Murphys aren't your little underground punk rockers anymore. Seriously, I don't see why this is as hated as it is. It's actually really good if you actually open your mind and give it a chance. But, I guess the kiddies want their punk and nothing more.
Apparently people say that this album is filled with "gimmicky Irish songs". First of all, apparently anything besides punk is "gimmicky" to you people. Second, alot of these songs don't have Irish folk roots. The bagpipes are hardly ever used in Irish folk. Just because it's a melodic song with bagpipes doesn't mean it's an Irish jig. Look for Flogging Molly or The Tossers if you want that (or the Dropkick's previous album, SLSP).
Second, people complain that Al Barr is losing his voice on this album. No, he's improving on this album. But I see you punk whiners only want cookie monster vocals instead of people with any talent. Go listen to your casualties albums and leave this alone.

Look, I might come off as mean, but this album is so unfairly slashed that I feel the need to defend it. I just really like it, and I don't care if you don't, but some people's statements have just been idiotic.

I'll admit, I was disappointed with this album, but all in all it's still a decent buy. But I'd equate this album with the BossTones' album "Let's Face It"... An attempt to go 'mainstream' that results in a loss of that raw sound that made them such a pleasure to listen to.

Ah, the Dropkick Murphys. If you are reading this review or thinking of buying this CD because you want some mellow but witty pub songs, and a stirring mandolin cover of "Wild Rover" or "Lessie Lindsey" to enjoy while you gaze upon your Brookstone cork Shamrock coasters in your handcrafted home bar while drinking expensive neatly brewed import beer, maybe later watching a nice program about the Emerald Isle on PBS, this is not the CD for you. Stop reading this review.

Witty as it may be, this is not quiet pub music. Nay, the Dropkick Murphys are and have been for as long as I can remember the forerunners in absolutely rowdy drunken barroom Irish/American rock music. They play their instruments about as well as any punk rock band, albiet alittle better than most, and the vocals are gravely and rough. However there is absolutely nobody who can match the energy found in any Dropkick Murphys album (or live show... however we will not get into that). The songs are filled with fire. They are filled with pride, loyalty, and a strong identity that is so lacking in this grey society these days. The Dropkick Murphys are absolutely not politically correct, they are whole-heartedly Irish and American and they embrace it in the face of accusations of closed-mindedness. I guess it's tough embracing your heritage and identity these days.

Blackout is a thuroughly solid record. Easily their most polished album. They seem to have buffed the presentation, and rounded out some of the rough edges, mainly in their guitar sound and vocals. Really the only song I would give the thumbs down to is their cover of Woody Guthrie's "There's Gonna Be A Blackout Tonight" which sounds somewhat forced and unnatural. The other tracks however have the classic Dropkick flow to them. "Dirty Glass" in particular is a great track that doccuments a wonderful love-hate relationship between Al and his bartender Darcy. The song really captures the progression of a night of drinking, it starts off kinda tipsy, and by the end the lyrics are slurred and insults are being hurled freely. The energy level is still fantastic through out.

Again this is beer swilling fighting-good-time music for those who embrace their Irish roots, or those who are just Irish on St. Patty's Day. Either way, if you're a fan of completely unique mayhem, the Dropkick Murphys are for you, and Blackout is a great place to start.

"Time to Go" is awesome even I don't know a thing about the Boston Bruins. Other highlights include "Walk Away", "This is your Life" and "Bastards on Parade". Just Awesome

In my opinion this is DKM's best album. Every song rocks. I like the bagpipes and irish sound as well, but this is the purest punk album they've made with Al Barr. I have not heard much of DKM with the former lead singer, but their later stuff is getting too commercialized with the bagpipe sound. I'm not saying they are selling out because it's still a unique sound, it's just not as hard and loud as what is on this album.

If you are into punk rock that emphasizes the rock and is less harcore, then this album will not disappoint you. The songs have catchy melodies, but are played loud and fast.

I always find it amazing that people write long ponderous reviews of a punk record. Here is the deal with The Gangs All Here - it rocks! It is a very punk record but still has elements that are further explored on subsequent DKM records. Very light on the pipes but some other traditional instruments sprinkled in here and there. For the most part though it is heavy guitars, drums and bass - as it should be!

I first heard the Murphys several years ago when a buddy insisted I give this album a listen. He was certain it would blow me away and he was right. I'm not really much of a punk fan, but what the Murphys have got goes beyond genre preference. These guys have got heart and soul. The only songs I do not care for are "Wheel of Misfortune" and "The Only Road", but the strength of the rest of the album far more than makes up for these two weaker tracks. "Curse of a Fallen Soul", "Upstarts and Broken Hearts", and "The Fighting 69th" are standout, and "Amazing Grace" is the best version of that hymn I've ever heard, bar none thanks to the sheer balls these guys have.

For some reason it took me about a year to really warm up this cd but now I love it! I'm from the Clash/Rancid camp and dispite teh fact that I've seen these guys twice live (and loved it) the vocals bothered me. Now I can hear the excellent punk song writing and riffs ... an the very unique sound these dudes have.

I believe this record ranks up there with Bad Religion's "Suffer", one of the greatest punk records ever made. The Gang's all Here is in general, a recording of UNITY. Something that is missing in the Punk scene. Songs about friendship, death and the wroking class...........It's all here

Once again dropkick murphys do deliver the goods...good tunes, well played and recorded, 4 stars fully deserved!!!
I got the limited edition for the extra-dvd, but I have to say I was a bit disappointed as it's nothing special.
The extra tracks are ok: special mention for a good cover of Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy).

don't be fooled but the editorial review of this cd there are not not classic cover as I had thought with the review but one cover jailbreak not the AC/DC cover either.this cd stays true to the warriors code cd a great mix of irish folk with a punk rock injection and more well written originals than the last 2 cds.Rick barton returns for fill'ins from a rush recording then quick of to tour in europe.

Does this crew ever sound like they are having FUN! They're loud, proud, Boston Irish boys and it's St. Patrick's Day. They might only be happier if they won the Power Ball.

The DKM is not precisely the usual Celtic music I review. This is Celtic PUNK. Loud and proud is just the start. Definitely not your quiet, contemplative "Celtic Moods" CD.

The DKM definitely gives you more bang for your buck. In these days of 99 cents per tune downloads, this CD is 25 songs long with plenty of time to enjoy the concert.

On the other hand, if you really want to ROCK, bring it on. Favorites:

"Fortunate Son" this is a cover of the CCR song. You just thought CCR could rock.

"Rocky Road to Dublin" okay, my favorite cover of this is still on the Chieftains' "Long Black Veil" CD--you can tell the Chieftains and the Rolling Stones really did not want that session to end, but this is pretty darn good, too.

"Amazing Grace" okay, I love about every version of this song I hear. Here it is, more traditional than most of the songs on this CD, complete with bagpipes and audience participation in the intro. Wait til you get to the body of the song!

Rebecca Kyle, August 2008

If you're a fan of DKM and you've never seen them live, then this CD is a must have. If you have seen them live, you should buy it as well so you can re-live the experience! Nothing compares to the unbridled fun and mayhem that takes place at one of their shows. Yes, there is the obligitory mosh pit. Yes there are scary "neck tattoo" hooligans, and yet for all the energy contained in the small venues they play, it's not dangerous - it's FUN!! This recording is just one of the 4 St. Paddy's Day weekend performances they play annually in Boston for the hometown faithful. The band interacts with the audience, Reverend Casey officiates at an onstage wedding and the Boston Police drum/bagpipe corps start the show with a mini parade. Long live the Good Rats!

The product arrived well after the expected date. The album was in fine shape, but my shirt I purchased at the same time came 2 weeks before the CD. Odd and unfortunate. I may not order music or books any time soon from Amazon.

Pop this one in on the Monday morning commute and you'll be cracking skulls all day at work. Tremendous energy. Amazing Grace is fantastic. Love that dirty water!

It is hard to be more Irish in America than in Boston. Since The Great Hunger, Boston has been an Irish-American city building a unique culture that has enriched both nations. This Boston group as seen in the movies State of Grace and The Departed. This is their house band, playing for them on their special day. You will not find a better selection of songs on a CD or as energetic performance as this. The day, the crowd and the band combine to produce a unique performance that captures the moment and all the excitement it produces.

My introduction to Dropkick Murphys is via Flogging Molly and The Pogues, when looking for newer Irish music. While not my pint of Guinness, I recognize their real talent and unique sound. IMO they are more punk than Irish, although you can hear the Irish roots.

If you wish to include them in your collection, this is the best CD to have.

This CD has some favorite tracks you've heard before, and some tracks that only appeared on singles. The versions of songs from Do or Die aren't as good as the originals from Do or Die, but some of the new songs (Front Seat, Guns of Brixton) are great additions to any fan's catalog. Also, the live songs are pretty decent. Pick this album up only if you have their other CDs.

I was REALLY psyched when I heard "Workers Song". I had never heard Dropkick Murphys before, but I like punk, and especially meaningful punk, a la Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Sex Pistols, Clash, Flipper, DOA, and others. I should have listened to the reviews that mentioned it was all three chords and lots of noise.

I don't think the Dropkick Murphys are the problem - they seem to be a GREAT group. I readily identify with the "Irish Pride" thing, even though I'm only a little Irish (probably about 1/8 or so), because of the persecution they've suffered at the hands of the English (one of my favorite songs of all time is John & Yoko's "Luck of the Irish"). Irish suffrage and Irish pride are not empty phrases to me, and for that reason alone, I like the music and the points that DM raises in some of its songs.

Maybe I should have just settled for the CD with the song I liked and gone from there. I listened to a couple of other songs on "Blackout" and I will be buying that CD. So, while I can't give the above CD more than 2 stars, I still give the Dropkick Murphys group 5 stars.

A very catchy cd witch some very good songs. Rock with some irish flavor.

HAPPY ST PATTYS DAY

This cd says it all. from the (finally released) barroom hero to the live "white riot," this has to be the best compilation of thier songs.

This album is friggen awesome anyone that is a fan of dropkick murphys should buy this, it has all the classic songs and some covers of songs by the clash and AC/DC. I highly reccomend this album

This is the second Dropkick Murphy album I've purchased,and good things do come in small packages.I bought it because of their amazing version of"The Fields of Althenry"'but was blown away by "Tessie".Heck,I might even become a Red Sox fan.A short C.D.,but it has no weak spots,and just when you are taking it all to seriously,along comes Tessie in clean up to finish the album.Just long enough for the ride home from work,and well worth the time spent.

Ok, I dont own the CD but it is on MVP Baseball 2005. I must say that it is one of the best songs on the soundtrack. I'm no fan of punk rock or nothing, but this song is now one of my favourites.

I really liked this cd! I hadn't listened to this group before, so this was a test purchase. I will be buying more. The Dropkick Murphys have such a unique sound that I find very appealing.

The only song worth listening to on the whole CD was the version of "Tessie" which included the members of the Red Sox. The guys of Dropkick Murphys sounded like they were trying to be cool and 'In' and they just weren't.

I didn't care much for any other track on the CD, but I only wanted it for the title track. So I got what I wanted. No complaints.