Blackout - Anniversary Edition＜Red Vinyl＞

On their fourth studio album, Blackout, the Dropkick Murphys work with their soused punk rock style for their tightest material to date. Sure, the intensity that made The Gang's All Here and Sing Loud, Sing Proud so great is intact, but there's a bit more polish and the Dropkick Murphys' Irish-colored rock jigs have never sounded better. Bassist Ken Casey produces this energetic set of working-class anthems. Shared vocal duties between Casey and frontman Al Barr are ferocious yet playful in leading this Boston septet of beer-room brawlers. From the merry singalong of "Kiss Me I'm #!@*faced" to the tomfoolery of "The Outcast," Blackout captures the band's undying spirit. Traditional Irish favorites like "Fields of Athenry" and "Black Velvet Band" are equally rowdy, and "Walk Away" nicely represents the Dropkick Murphys' lasting brotherhood. Rockabilly riffs blaze about on "Gonna Be a Blackout Tonight," a riotous good time put to the words of an unpublished Woody Guthrie song. Such an effort is quite fitting for the band as well, since the Dropkick Murphys are keen to Guthrie's classic working-class ideals. But they have a spark that matches the soul of Shane MacGowan and Billy Bragg, and that's what makes Blackout so impressive. The rawness behind making a living is balanced with a good swig of whiskey, and despite the band's aggressive presentation, this is no motley crew. Blackout is honest in words and heart, so raise your fist. ~ MacKenzie Wilson

全国の熱血OiOiパンクスどもよ、待たせたな!　間にライヴ盤のリリースがあったから早い気がするけど、何気に2年半ぶりとなるスタジオ・アルバム!　ほぼイメージ・キャラと化していたスパイシー・マクハギスは円満に寿脱退し、元カナダ陸軍のバグパイプ奏者が加入。そうして今回も、さらに色濃くなったトラッド／カントリー色と怒涛の男気パンク・ロックがガッチリとロックアップした、色彩豊かな〈アッツアツのドロップキック・マーフィーズ節〉が全開ってワケだ!　バンドの無尽蔵なスタミナやエネルギー、モチベーションなどがすべて圧縮梱包された楽曲たちに触れれば、思わず体も踊り出すっての!　彼らの作品を聴くたびに思うんだが、まるで〈お前もこっち来いよ!〉と手招きされて、自分までファミリーの一員になったかのような〈一体感〉を味わえるバンドってそうないよなぁ。やっぱ兄貴たち、そしてパンク・ロックって最っ高だ!!
bounce (C)ヤマダナオヒロ