DROPKICK MURPHYS
All Sing Loud, Sing Proud! (Hellcat)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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When most bands wanna turn it up they crank the amps to eleven. The Dropkick Murphys believe strength to be in numbers and instead expand their tight little quartet to a kicking septet. The Pogues wannabees from Boston keep inching closer to the traditional ways practiced by Shane McGowan in punk's true hey-day, keeping a fine line between boozy cacophony and sober instrument mastery. Hell Shane even pops up for a brief cameo (though he probably came to help dispose of the refreshments). Steering away from the hackneyed hardcore moments of past efforts, the new record's a great pub listen, with just enough punk edges to elevate clanking beer mugs into a broken glass party. Cheers.

© 2001 - John Sekerka