ImpOp has been fans of Dropkick Murphys ever since a dear friend (what up Timmay!) gave us a mix-tape containing tracks from their 2nd & 3rd albums Do Or Die & The Gang's All Here. We instantly fell in love and have seen them in concert many times even being invited onstage by former guitarist Marc Orrell for some stage diving action, before being returning to the stage to sing, arm-in-arm mind you, with Ken Casey for the encore. It was an epic unbelievable night to say the least. Anywho, the Boston natives have released a new album, their 9th, 11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory and are touring to support it so go out and support them!
It seems as though Dropkick has returned to form drinking their way back to the beloved Celtic punk style they introduced us to so long ago. "The Lonesome Boatman" is the beautiful instrumental they used to start their live concert when ImpOp saw them last year. It's a stunning track and then they break into "Rebels With A Cause," a song about young love struggling to find their way in the world. "Blood," one of the standout tracks, hits you with haunting bagpipes and gives hope to the fallen downtrodden souls like ourselves. True friends will always be there. "Paying My Way" starts with and piano and hand claps that hearken back to an anthem song, and is the best track on the album! It also extends hope to us punks who are putting in the work and paying our dues in every facet of life. "I Had A Hat" showcases the humor of the band and the fights that naturally come from drinking too much.
Sure, not every track is a winner. We have always hated the song "You'll Never Walk Alone," and the Boston gang didn't change that opinion. Even so, this is a better offer than 2013's Signed & Sealed In Blood, and the best since The Warrior's Code way back in 2005!
Dropkick Murphys are one of the best punk bands of all time bar none, and this is a solid reputation of what they can do. It's definitely worth the listen and out of 11 tracks, ImpOp saved 8! That's pretty damn good these days and you cannot have anything but a great time if you see this band in concert! If you do not find a few good songs on this album to enjoy, you are simply not a good human.
Keeper Songs:
The Lonesome Boatman
Rebels With A Cause
Blood
First Class Loser
* Paying My Way
I Had A Hat
Kicked To The Curb
Until The Next Time
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