Dropkick Murphys: Going Out in Style Review

Artist: Dropkick Murphys
Album: Going Out in Style
Label: Born & Bred Records (March 1, 2011)

Here’s to being single, drinking doubles, and seeing triple! This is one of the types of cheers you expect to hear while listening to Going Out in Style. The hard hitting Celtic band Dropkick Murphys is back into full swing of things. Style, which was released on March 1, 2011, is now considered one of their fastest, hardest albums. Released close to four years after their last album The Meanest of Times, which was released back in 2007, what makes Going Out in Style so special is that it is not just another soundtrack for your St. Patrick’s Day antics–this one chronicles the adventure of a fictional character named Cornelius Larkin. It follows Larkin’s adventure from coming to America as an immigrant to his exploits within America.

Still, this album is everything we have grown to love and enjoy from Dropkick Murphys. With bagpipes and raspy, slighty screamed vocals, the band does the exact same thing they always do: brings the party that is Celtic Punk right into your speakers. After hearing songs like the title track, “Going Out In Style”, the natural reaction is to hunt down your nearest pub and chug a pint of stout ale, throw some darts, then thrash around until someone starts throwing fists. “Memorial Day” is a thoughtful song about self-reliance. Every song is testament to this genre and the band’s passion for it.

For fun Irish rock, it just doesn’t get any better than Dropkick. The husky voice of new lead singer Al Barr make for a delightfully wicked green isle treat. Slap on your kilt, brothers, and raise your beer! Let’s kiss the Blarney stone and share the gift of sloshed. Cornelius Larkin’s story has evolved into a full-blown saga that will be chronicled on the Murphys’ website and could eventually become a book. We’ll drink to that.

Rating:  

A joint effort by Josh McRae, Lindsey Pickett, and Aaron Wells

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