Dropkick Murphys
The Warrior's Code

THE REVIEW

It's a bit reductive to label the Dropkick Murphys simply as "punk" because they are not the usual band with one-hit wonder songs and albums all the same with melodies borrowed from NOFX. The Dropkick Murphys are one of the few groups that bring innovation to the barren soil of punk, thanks to the emotional charge of their songs, lyrics that go beyond the usual (easy) anti-system slogans, and a sonic cohesiveness that few can boast.

With the new album, the Boston band returns to the successful marriage (of which they are among the forerunners) between Celtic music and punk rock, with truly extraordinary arrangements. The album opens strikingly with a stunning song, "Your Spirit's Alive", and smoothly rolls along with its songs featuring memorable choruses, chilling folk arrangements, and solemn bagpipes. The rock 'n' roll and '60s influences in the guitars are strong, the duets between the two main voices (Al Barr and Ken Casey) are beautiful, and the tavern-style choruses give the unmistakable touch of cheer typical of the Dropkick Murphys to the songs.

The songs engage emotionally, involving the listener who might go crazy and start hopping while singing along with a beer in hand to tracks like "The Warrior's Code", an anthem to a Bostonian boxer, "Captain Kelly's Kitchen", a reimagined traditional piece, "Sunshine Highway", the powerful "Citizen CIA", the beautiful rendition of "The Green Fields Of France", the only fully folk track on the album, slow with a melancholic voice (Al Barr makes a great impression) accompanied by the tin whistle and piano, and then the two best tracks on the album, "I'm Shipping Up To Boston", with lyrics by the poet Woody Guthrie and "Tessie", a great rock 'n' roll piece with folk nuances, usual choruses, and lyrics dedicated to the Red Sox, the baseball team of the beloved city of Boston.

An album recommended not only for punk lovers but for anyone who loves cheerful, unexpected music, full of energy, perfect for wild moshing and perhaps suited for a great boozy evening.