Search - Dropkick Murphys :: Blackout

Maybe not their best but good all the same

Gogol | England | 04/15/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Many people seem to slate this album because it is seen as a departure from Do or Die. While that album was by for a more raw Oi!punk sound this album does have its merits.



DM give us the same Oi! chants, Irish heritage and lyrics about drinking that have made them popular. Track that stands out for me is "Fields of Athenry" Great to hear it rendered into an Oi! track (Wonder if the DM know it is a popular terrace song of Liverpool fans (all be it with the lyrics changed to "Fields of Anfield Road"))



Outside the Shankly Gates

I heard a Kopite calling

Shankly they have taken you away

But you left a great eleven

Before you went to heaven

Now it's glory round the Fields of Anfield Road.



All round the Fields of Anfield Road

Where once we watched the King Kenny play (and he could play)

We had Heighway on the wing

We had dreams and songs to sing

Of the glory round the Fields of Anfield Road



Outside the Paisley Gates

I heard a Kopite calling

Paisley they have taken you away

You led the great 11

Back in Rome in 77

And the Redmen they are still playing the same way

All round the Fields of Anfield Road

Where once we watched the King Kenny play (and he could play)

We had Heighway on the wing

We had dreams and songs to sing

Of the glory round the Fields of Anfield Road



The DM have often been compared to Cock Sparrar and Sham 69 and that would probably be a fair comparaison. Don't know why anyone would have a problem with the DM celebrating their Irish heritage this is a pretty good album.



Well worth a listen."

A Dropkick will never let you down!

B. Mcmullan | Houston, TX United States | 09/19/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ah, the Dropkick Murphys. If you are reading this review or thinking of buying this CD because you want some mellow but witty pub songs, and a stirring mandolin cover of "Wild Rover" or "Lessie Lindsey" to enjoy while you gaze upon your Brookstone cork Shamrock coasters in your handcrafted home bar while drinking expensive neatly brewed import beer, maybe later watching a nice program about the Emerald Isle on PBS, this is not the CD for you. Stop reading this review.



Witty as it may be, this is not quiet pub music. Nay, the Dropkick Murphys are and have been for as long as I can remember the forerunners in absolutely rowdy drunken barroom Irish/American rock music. They play their instruments about as well as any punk rock band, albiet alittle better than most, and the vocals are gravely and rough. However there is absolutely nobody who can match the energy found in any Dropkick Murphys album (or live show... however we will not get into that). The songs are filled with fire. They are filled with pride, loyalty, and a strong identity that is so lacking in this grey society these days. The Dropkick Murphys are absolutely not politically correct, they are whole-heartedly Irish and American and they embrace it in the face of accusations of closed-mindedness. I guess it's tough embracing your heritage and identity these days.



Blackout is a thuroughly solid record. Easily their most polished album. They seem to have buffed the presentation, and rounded out some of the rough edges, mainly in their guitar sound and vocals. Really the only song I would give the thumbs down to is their cover of Woody Guthrie's "There's Gonna Be A Blackout Tonight" which sounds somewhat forced and unnatural. The other tracks however have the classic Dropkick flow to them. "Dirty Glass" in particular is a great track that doccuments a wonderful love-hate relationship between Al and his bartender Darcy. The song really captures the progression of a night of drinking, it starts off kinda tipsy, and by the end the lyrics are slurred and insults are being hurled freely. The energy level is still fantastic through out.



Again this is beer swilling fighting-good-time music for those who embrace their Irish roots, or those who are just Irish on St. Patty's Day. Either way, if you're a fan of completely unique mayhem, the Dropkick Murphys are for you, and Blackout is a great place to start."

The definitive Dropkick Murphys album.

The Wild Rover | Boston, MA USA | 02/20/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is where artistic style and skill culminate, the Dropkick Murphys' finest album. Deeply rooted in their Celtic Punk musical style, the Murphys show a flair for creating songs with a broad appeal, while maintaining their roots as a band that started in Quincy, Massachusetts. The Murphys possess the ability to write angst-filled rebellious lyrics and run the gauntlet to the tradtional humorous Irish song with the final track on the album. This is a must own for fans of DKM and anyone who enjoys punk, Celtic music or having pint."