Dropkick Murphys are one of those bands that you'll feel the need to move around to, no matter if you're a fan or not. Their latest album 'Going Out In Style' shows exactly that, with the familiar upbeat punk that they are known for. Going Out In Style tells a story, making it the band's first concept album, and traces the life of an immigrant character named Cornelius Larkin. The story traces over Cornelius' live after his passing, from both his point of view and the band's views of his life.
Regardless of the fact this is an album telling a story, each of the high energy songs can be taken as a singluar entity and enjoyed just as much. With guests such as Fat Mike and Bruce Springsteen on title track Going Out In Style and Peg O' My heart respectively, it shows how well respected Dropkick Murphys are in the music world, and shows that music does not have to be serious and complex all the time.
The album begins with a energetic and fast paced track 'Hang 'em High' which on one hand is typical Dropkick Murphys, but on the other is different to the rest of the album as both Al Barr (vocals) and Ken Casey (bass) alternate on main vocals. The contract between their voices adds an extra element to the song, which makes for interesting listening. The brash, aggressive voice of Barr is a lot different to the uplifting calm of Casey's, but it works perfectly.
Following the opening track is the title track of the album, which is a personal favourite of mine. It sums up the band and album for me, which is a group of guys who would be able to take the most subdued person and make them unable to stay still. Listening through the album makes you feel like you're at a live show, and there's very few albums can do that on every listen.
Slowing the pace a little, Memorial Day is one of the tracks on the album that shows their ability for diversity. The track is more pop-like than punk, but it shows that change isn't always a bad thing. Granted, it will divide listeners down the middle, some claiming Dropkick Murphys have ''sold out'' and aren't sticking true to their roots, but there will be the fans that appreciate a little change of direction, albeit for a single track.
Another of the many gems on Going Out In Style is Peg O' My Heart. Infused with the vocals of Bruce Springsteen and powerful riffs, the gang vocals just top off a song where the cover is better than the original.
When you reach the end of the album, you've been on a journey through a man's life, but feel like you should be reaching for another drink and partying late in to the night. Going Out In Style is complex and diverse, but Dropkick Murphys have not sacrificed an inch of their energy or passion to reach their goal, they've added to it. Dropkick Murphys create the kind of high-energy tracks that the music world should be thankful for, and Going Out In Style just proves that age is irrelevant when it comes to being a truly great band.
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