By Alec Lautanen
Theme Editor
It wouldn’t seem as if the Dropkick Murphys could angrily belt out anything more about the working class or Irish folk heroes after seven albums and almost 15 years of constant songwriting, but on their latest album, “Going Out in Style,” the Celtic punk band manages to churn out new concepts and styles effectively and boldly.
“Going Out in Style” leaves behind previous collections of songs about bar fights and Boston sports tributes to follow a deeper concept.
The album tells the story of the fictitious Cornelius Larkin, an Irish immigrant whose life becomes the medium for both personal experiences and family folktales from members of the band.
The album embodies the blue-collar spirit they represent and the dedication to the causes that they believe in is one of the most admirable elements the Dropkick Murphys have held to throughout their entire career. This unique element of the Dropkick Murphy’s style is especially apparent in “Going Out in Style.”
“Take ‘Em Down” echos the demands of union supporters in the recent Wisconsin budget protests. Lyrics such as “when the boss comes calling don’t you sell your soul” and “when the boss comes calling we got to organize” showcase this aspect of their style.
“Going Out in Style” evokes a plethora of emotions. This is a skill that the Dropkick Murphys have always possessed, and they take full advantage of it with this album. From start to finish, a wide range of feelings from excitement to sadness pulse through this album and its audience.
Songs such as “Deeds Not Words” make listeners want to get rowdy and fight all who have wronged them. ”Peg O’ My Heart” causes listeners to cry out in longing for the ones they love; the Dropkick Murphys will always rip some sort of emotion to the surface.
They are also able to develop more traditional Irish songs further in “Going Out in Style.” They have played covers of old Irish folk songs on prior albums, but this time the rushed rhythm and sloppy vocals of punk rock are replaced with acoustic instrumentation and soft vocals to create a more authentic rendition of Irish folk.
These additions contrast the angst felt in many of the other songs and pair well with the varying lyrical emotions. The combination of modern punk and traditional folk meld together to augment the story being told. Furthermore, it increases the strong emotional contrasts already experienced, giving “Going Out in Style” a more realistic feel.
The Dropkick Murphys have also advanced their technical musical ability. Initial albums featured a smattering of bagpipes, hard vocals and mandolin, but none of these were very organized or coordinated together.
The Dropkick Murphys have finally achieved a harmonious combination of instrumentation and vocals in “Going Out in Style.” Nothing is overpowering and nothing is washed out.
The last 15 years have been kind to the Dropkick Murphys, and “Going Out in Style” is no exception to their progress as a band. They always manage to make the listener feel strongly about what they have to say with strong lyrics and increasingly impressive instrumentation.
The Dropkick Murphys have created a testament to the power and adaptability of their music on their latest album and aren’t looking to go out any time soon.
“Going Out in Style” is available on iTunes for $9.99 and wherever CD’s are sold.
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