As the world is slowly taken over by mindlessly marketable, pretty boy identikit bands and the concepts of originality and innovation are lost in the landslide, it’s easy to think that creativity is in short supply, especially in the recently over-saturated punk (and I mean that in the broadest sense of the word) market. Which is why it is a glorious surprise when a band like Flogging Molly step to the fore. Already whipping crowds into frenzy on the Warped Tour (and our one off equivalent, Deconstruction), Flogging Molly take their traditional Celtic influences and infuse them with breakneck punk beats to create a sound that while sounding wholly original, still induces familiarity in the listener.
The band describe themselves as a ‘Guinness soaked musical body blow’, and obvious comparisons with The Dropkick Murphy’s and Stiff Little Fingers aside, they appear intent on sound tracking the clichéd Irish knees up right up to the final note played. In fact, The Pogues and The Dubliners probably have more to answer for when it comes to influences hidden within this record.
As well as the obligatory Guitar-Bass-Drums combo, the seven piece also appear to have graduated their music class with flying colours, as the Accordion, Tin Whistle, Mandolin and Violin all make an appearance, and all are clearly audible thanks to a spot on production job from none other than Steve Albini. As you may have gathered so far, Flogging Molly aren’t the usual kind of music you would expect to find on Side One Dummy/Burning Heart Records.
If first impressions are as important as people would have you believe, then the opening title track promises that you will be best friends with this band for a long time to come. Like being thrown head first into an Irish wedding reception and told to dance for your life, it’s an extraordinarily promising start to the record and packs more energy into three minutes and fifty seconds than some bands have in their entire careers.
‘What’s Left Of the Flag’ continues where ‘Drunken Lullabies’ left off and progresses along at the same knuckle whitening pace, and employing the numerous instruments in the Flogging Molly arsenal to good effect. Unfortunately, the one criticism that I have of Flogging Molly begins to raise its head at this early stage. Celtic-core, or whatever you want to call these guys, is a somewhat restricted sub-genre and as refreshing and revitalising these songs are, they do share one common sound, and after an extended number of listens, do slowly melt into one. This is also evident in ‘May The Living Be Dead (In Our Wake)’, the third track on the album.
It’s not all quick fire Irish punk rock though. There are a number of slower numbers, which positively drip with emotion and don’t let the side down one bit. ‘If I Ever Leave This World Alive’ and ‘Death Valley Queen’ are welcome breathers from the rapid pace which builds up throughout the album, and the albums closer ‘The Son Never Shines (On Closed Doors)’ leaves us on a mournful and dejected tone.
But it’s the hasty yet enormously competent punk influenced numbers that really make this worth listening to. At over five minutes long, ‘Rebels Of The Sacred Heart’ manages to steal the whole show and after a slow build up, explodes into a thunderous sing-a-long that had me positively dancing round the room with glee on more than one occasion, and the jaunting Pogues influenced ‘Another Bag Of Bricks’ is another album highlight.
Truly inspired lyrics, a fantastic pace that doesn’t let up until the final few minutes and a vast array of musical influences, as well as instruments, make ‘Drunken Lullabies’ a welcome breath of fresh air and well worth a listen. Apart from a few niggling faults, for example the similarity of a lot of the songs and vocalist Dave King’s voice, which begins to grate after a while, this album is an extraordinarily competent effort and a worthy addition to your collection. However, if you wish to truly experience the spirit of this band, see them live, and I can guarantee that you will be drinking Guinness in your local the next time you visit.