Recent Release: Dropkick Murphys - "Going Out In Style"

Here's a treat for your St. Patrick's Day listening enjoyment. My favorite Celtic punk rock band (there are a surprising amount), Dropkick Murphys have returned with a brand new album. This is not just once a year music, however, these guys make records to digest and listen to year round.

Their current release, "Going Out In Style", is a loose concept album based around the life of Boston hero Cornelius Larkin, an Irish immigrant who went on to be a Korean War veteran and organizer with the International Longshoreman's Association. The songs do not appear to be in any particular order conceptually which seems odd for telling a man's life story. I believe that if the songs had been presented chronologically the overall piece would have been more effective. As it stands most of the war stuff is lumped together with the love story angle thrown on at the end. So this album is a bit of a difficult listen in some respects, but it is still highly worthwhile.

All the hallmarks of a classic DKM release are here. Loud guitars, fast tempos, bagpipes, tin whistles, accordion and gang-style big choruses are all represented. The standard covers of traditional Irish songs are represented with "The Irish Rover" and "Peg O' My Heart", the latter featuring a guest vocal by Bruce Springsteen. Both are fun and well done. There is the prerequisite union song "Take 'Em Down" which will get stuck in your head no matter what your feelings are on the topic. Songs about brotherhood, family and "inherited pride" are typical topics for DKM, they are all represented here. I'm not exactly sure where "Sunday Hardcore Matinee" fits into this man's story, but this is rock and roll, so I'll let it pass. Many of these songs are bound to become live staples, With fine examples such as the title track, "The Hardest Mile" and "Deeds Not Words" this new material is DKM's best in years. "Going Out In Style" doesn't top their classics "Do Or Die" and "Sing Loud , Sing Proud", but it is nipping at their heels.

From the preceding paragraph one may get the idea that this sounds like everything else the band's ever done and if you've heard one record you've heard 'em all. Well, yes and no. The band do tend to stick to the same format disc to disc and certainly the traditional elements bind them to a certain way of writing and performing. However, each CD has its own personality. This one tends to be a bit darker than some of the band's earlier releases, but it has more heart than most. It's the little things that make each Dropkick Murphys release unique, and this disc is certainly a standout in their catalogue.

4 out of 5 Daves.

Recent Release:Drive-By Truckers - Go-Go Boots

*In the interest of full disclosure it should be noted that I am a major Drive-By Truckers fan. They are my favorite band working. I've attended many shows, bought all the records and a ton of merch, and even gave my son a name highly associated with the band. Just thought that should be said up front.

The Drive-By Truckers have released a new album entitled "Go-Go Boots", and it represents a side of the band not thoroughly explored on other releases. It is quite the change of pace. This is the kind of record that can really only be evaluated years after its release when taken in as part of the band's full catalog (like Zeppelin III-misunderstood at the time but classic now). But we're dealing with the here and now. And right now, it's a mixed bag.

The idea here is to tap into the country-soul and straight up country roots of the band. These qualities have always been present, but are expanded and focused on here, as are the "story" songs that make up a significant part of this record. Individually, there are a good amount of songs to please here, most of which would add to the color of any other DBT disc. However, when put together on the same disc the end result feels a little flat.

DBT are, at their core, a kick ass southern rock band. So there should be a few rock songs here, right? Nope. The album seldom gets above a mid tempo groove. Not that that's an entirely bad thing but it is unexpected and, for this fan, unwelcome.

The high point is an Eddie Hinton cover song called "Everybody Needs Love" which is fantastic. Most of the highlights belong to Patterson Hood who is all over this record from the opening charmer "I Do Believe", the Vietnam Vet inspired "Ray's Automatic Weapon", ex-record company basher "Assholes", and the sinisterly upbeat closer "Mercy Buckets". Unfortunately Hood is also responsible for the complete dud of a title track and a regrettable time waster called "The Thanksgiving Filter".

There are a few puzzling decisions made here as well. For example "Go-Go Boots" and "The Fireplace Poker" are both story songs that appear to be about the same story. While they are definitely different songs, did we really need them both (especially when the latter is so much better)? Also, in what could have been the best song here, "Used To Be A Cop", the song just begs to explode at the end into a guitar driven climax, but instead just limps out. Perhaps it was intentional. Since the song's character never goes over the edge, the music doesn't either. But it's a little disappointing.

The other Truckers check in here too. Mike Cooley, who can always be counted on to deliver comes through in a big way with "The Weakest Man" and "Pulaski", though just barely misses the mark with his "Cartoon Gold". And bassist Shonna Tucker delivers her obligatory two songs as well. I really like her voice (kinda Tammy Wynette-ish), but I've always felt her songs don't quite fit the band's style and slow down the proceedings. Here, however they fit in perfectly. Which tells you all you need to know.

Once again, I don't think "Go-Go Boots" is a bad record by any means, and it has the potential to grow into a favorite of the fan base over time. But as for now...

3 out of 5 Daves

Also released is the new Drive-By Truckers EP "Sometimes Late At Night". It consists of one Vic Chestnutt cover tune and five live songs. This is the release of choice. "When I Run Off And Left Her" would have been a fine addition to the "Go-Go Boots" record, cover tune or not. As for the live material, it only goes to show why DBT are such a great, vital band. Upon listening to the live tracks for songs that did make their new record, it's clearer as to what the band was trying to do and proves that these "Go-Go" songs may have life to them yet. Throw in an over the top version of Cooley's "Get Downtown" and a fun show closing trip to "Buttholeville" and this is a great collection that left me wanting more.

5 out of 5 Daves

Quick Update March 7, 2011

Sorry for the lack of activity here. When you run a blog as a hobby sometimes real life gets in the way and you have to put it on hold for a while. Things will be back up and running soon.

Coming up will be the long promised Drive-By Truckers review. I was a victim of the now infamous pre-order foul up and didn't get the disc until well after its release date. Then, being a fan, I had to absorb this one a little bit. I'll also review their bonus EP as well.

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day there's a new Dropkick Murphys CD out as well. Look for that review shortly.

I also made a stupid big purchase over the weekend and bought "The Beatles in Mono" box set. It occurred to me that I never bothered with buying the remasters when they came out two years ago and was planning on starting that project soon, so I just took the plunge and picked this up. I'm sure there will be some talk about that too.

I'll try to squeeze in the new Eddie Spaghetti and R.E.M. releases soon, but the ol' wallet is getting thinner so we'll see what happens there. Plus, I'm going to start features on some classic albums/bands in the near future as well.

So as you can see, there's a lot brewing here. Check back soon and check it out.