You aren’t going to find many bands that are as consistently fun as Dropkick Murphys. Across their career Boston’s favourite sons have been pouring their blood, sweat and tears into their folk tinged hardcore for the soul reason of getting your feet moving. Now with their follow up to 2013’s ‘Signed And Sealed In Blood’, the band are getting sentimental with 11 slices of gruff storytelling.
No matter your stance on the Murphys, you cannot deny their commitment to their cause. Every tinkle of the penny whistle, every croon of the bagpipe, every strum of the banjo is delivered with conviction and sincerity. The band live the songs that they produce and make it known how much they mean to them. Though ’11 Short Stories Of Pain And Glory’ may not be as direct as some of their previous work it doesn’t make it any less engrossing and warming at moments.
The Against Me!-esque ‘Sandlot’, the pub sing along vibes of ‘First Class Loser’ and beautifully poignant ‘4 15 13’ paint a picture of a band still with a fire in their belly and a story in their heart. Hell, even the totally unnecessary cover of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ will have your tear ducts quivering.
It won’t be for everyone, but if you’re already under the spell of the Murphys, you’ll find something to dance to here. Still as viciously passionate as when they started and showing no signs of slowing anytime soon, ’11 Short Stories Of Pain And Glory’ is another chapter in the long and illustrious journey of one of punk’s most family orientated bands. So grab your mates, have a beer, stick this record on and sing long into the night. You know it makes sense.
3/5
‘11 Short Stories Of Pain And Glory’ by Dropkick Murphys is released on 6th Janaury on Born & Bred Records.
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Words by Jack Rogers (@JackMRog)
