Review by Stratman

An Irish sounding punk rock band from Boston, Ma. Who would have “thunk it”? This is the group’s seventh album and, although I have heard of them, I have never heard anything by them. With as many bands as there are in the world today, I have found one that is truly unique. This band has musicians in it that play a plethora ( multitude) of instruments not normally found in rock music. Al Barr is the powerfully strong voiced singer here, adequately backed up by Tim Brennan (accordion and whistles), Jeff DaRosa (mandolin, bouzouki, banjo and harmonica), Ken Casey (bass guitar), James Lynch (guitar), Matt Kelly (monster drummer), and last, but not least, bagpipes el supremo “Scruffy” Wallace. Together, they ARE Irish folk/punk rockers the Dropkick Murphys.

Their music makes you want to stomp your feet, jump up and down and go crazy. While Barr’s voice comes across as hard and to the point, Casey’s is strong and gives you a calming feeling.

“Hang ‘Em High” starts the album off. It is hard driving song and sets the tone for what is to come. Strong bass here with a powerful accordion. I bet Weird Al loves this band! “Going Out In Style” is the album title and I love the drums and bagpipes. “The Hardest Mile” and “Memorial Day” are foot stompers!

“Cruel” and “1953” are the bands ballads and I dig them. No shouting in “1953” and it has tremendous bagpipes and harmonies. ”Broken Hymns” almost sounds bluegrass influenced. “Take ‘Em Down” is a strong anthem for the working man with a Bob Dylan style harmonica. “Peg O’ My Heart” features a guest appearance by Bruce Springsteen in this old standard. The album winds up with “The Last Rover”. The album started off hard and ends hard with this butt kicker.

At times the album reminds me of music that would appear in some pirate movie, but that’s ok. I like “Pirates of the Caribbean”. This is a romper from start to finish and I can see how the band excites their audience at live shows. It should make all punk rock fans proud. Not my kind of music, but well put together.

Overall rating A-