On their fourth studio album,
Blackout,
the Dropkick Murphys work with their soused
punk rock style for their tightest material to date. Sure, the intensity that made
The Gang's All Here and
Sing Loud, Sing Proud so great is intact, but there's a bit more polish and
the Dropkick Murphys' Irish-colored
rock jigs have never sounded better. Bassist
Ken Casey produces this energetic set of working-class anthems. Shared vocal duties between
Casey and frontman
Al Barr are ferocious yet playful in leading this Boston septet of beer-room brawlers. From the merry singalong of
"Kiss Me I'm #!@*faced" to the tomfoolery of
"The Outcast," Blackout captures the band's undying spirit.
Traditional Irish favorites like
"Fields of Athenry" and
"Black Velvet Band" are equally rowdy, and
"Walk Away" nicely represents
the Dropkick Murphys' lasting brotherhood.
Rockabilly riffs blaze about on
"Gonna Be a Blackout Tonight," a riotous good time put to the words of an unpublished
Woody Guthrie song. Such an effort is quite fitting for the band as well, since
the Dropkick Murphys are keen to
Guthrie's classic working-class ideals. But they have a spark that matches the soul of
Shane MacGowan and
Billy Bragg, and that's what makes
Blackout so impressive. The rawness behind making a living is balanced with a good swig of whiskey, and despite the band's aggressive presentation, this is no motley crew.
Blackout is honest in words and heart, so raise your fist. ~ MacKenzie Wilson
