The Dropkick Murphys - The Meanest of Times

Dropkick Murphys
The Meanest of Times
Born & Bred Records
Grade: A-

Unlike most bands out there in the world, the Dropkick Murphys have become better and more famous with constant hard work – literally defining the Boston working-class ethos they sprung from. With Meanest of Times, their seventh record and first on own label Born & Bred Records, the Dropkick Murphys take the challenge of consistency and improvement to the next level with their Irish-flavored punk. This is something to behold.

The unprecedented attention that DK has been receiving is all completely worth the fanfare, almost as if the band is one to be punched up with every single release of any sort. DK always seem to come back and knock you on your ass just when you begun to forget about how much they kick ass or begin to take them for granted. Besides from their collection of strong records on Hellcat/Epitaph, including The Gang’s All Here (1999), Blackout (2003), and The Warrior’s Code (2005), DK has been getting the most attention from their contributions to the Academy Award winning film The Departed and the Boston Red Sox. As many know, DK provided the 2004 World Series Red Sox their theme song and played at the series; as they did this year when Boston won. (Not to mention the band’s inclusion at the end of Fever Pitch). As even more people know, The Departed featured the DK’s “I’m Shipping Up to Boston.” On its own, “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” rocks balls and coupled with the film it is simply classic.

With such success, DK started up Born & Bred Records to take more control of their music – with distribution through Warner. And with their notoriety, DK was able to get a stable of well-known Irish musicians to contribute some love, including Spider Stacy of the Pogues and Ronnie Drew of The Dubliners, which were recorded over in good ol’ Dublin; the rest of the record was recorded in Massachusetts. With Al Barr’s continually gravel vocals accompanied by vocal and instrumental help from Tim Brennan, Ken Casey, Matt Kelly, James Lynch, Marc Orrell, and Scruffy Wallace, DK cover nearly all bases and themes on The Meanest of Times. And not the least of which are themes of childhood, family, and the ups and downs of growing up.

To remind people that the Dropkick Murphys are punk rock, The Meanest of Times kicks off on the all-out “Famous For Nothing” that brings up images of rowdy, drunken punk shows. A terrific way for launching an album and clearly stands out as one of the best, “Famous For Nothing” will have you hitting repeat. “God Willing” begins slower, but soon warms up to another fantastic punk anthem with the refrain of “God willing I’ll see you on the other side.” Banjo picking carries you through “The State of Massachusetts” a long live favorite of DK about child welfare taking a woman’s children away. A strong song, it does seem odd that DK selected “The State of Massachusetts” for their first single. “Tomorrow’s Industry” is four-on-the-floor ordinary punk, while “Echoes on ‘A’ Street” is a melodic rocker about the loyalty of family. A somewhat topical song, “Vices and Virtues” speaks to the various elements that destroy and kill young men – specifically, ‘whiskey, war, suicide, and guns” – all with hard-hitting punk. “Surrender” has a similar feel as “Echoes on ‘A’ Street,” and “(F)lannigan’s Ball” is the DK’s take on the traditional “Lannigan’s Ball” and the song that features Drew and Stacy. Before one of the more magical songs on The Meanest of Times, “Fairmont Hill,” comes the ordinary punk song “I’ll Begin Again” that thrives on a catchy chorus. The magic of “Fairmont Hill” is from the fact it is a take on the traditional Irish song “Spancil Hill”; one of my all time favorites, the type of song that brings chills to your spine even if it’s a ballad. The basic premise is of an American émigré in California dreaming about going back to Ireland, but here it is going back to Fairmount Hill in Boston. For folks who don’t know the original, “Fairmont Hill” might not resonate, but for those that do it will be in good taste. DK get things back on the punk track with “Loyal to No One” about a stubborn old bastard dying alone; like many an Irish old man? “Shattered” is balls out rock, while “Rude Awakenings” slowly meanders with bombastic rock without much a crescendo. DK take on another Irish traditional “Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya,” before closing out The Meanest of Times with “Never Forget.” “Never Forget” against ring the family bell along side a group vocals and unforgettable rock. That’s fifteen songs of traditional-flavored Irish punk all under one hood – spectacular!

Simply, The Meanest of Times is an album you shouldn’t pass up on. With each record, The Dropkick Murphys set a new standard and pushes you even further to the wish of living in Boston.