Dropkick Murphys • The State Of Massachusetts
It’s difficult not to like what the Dropkick Murphys create, and what they create is by far some of the most up beat, sing a long, traditional charming folk and modern punk rock with attitude. Although perhaps in a bit of a decline in recent times, the band appear to have re energised, got their acts together and produced something that’s really quite a good listen.
Their new 4 track EP ‘The State Of Massachusetts’ shows no boundaries to their creative genius, with its whisky drenched melody, gruff vocals and the perfect sing a long anthemic choruses.
Title track ‘The State Of Massachusetts’ kicks off with an intro of Celtic instrumentation mixed with the roaring punk and thunderous energy of the Dropkicks. Tracks 3 and 4 ‘The Thick Skin Of Defiance’ and ‘Breakdown’ show off their more modern punkier moments, by the inclusion of short, fast guitar soloing and melodic chanting choruses. There’s quite a clear divide here between the Celtic influenced and the punk influenced tracks and I think this does help with the general outcome of the song writing.
Track 4 ‘Forever’ illustrates this different element. It’s a slow tempo folk driven track led by dual vocals and one soulful chorus. This clearly shows that there’s a hell of a lot of musical ability within the Dropkick Murphys, they’re not just about the foot stomping sing a long punk tracks and this track proves that.
One thing that has surprised me about this EP is that it’s convinced me to listen to the Dropkicks latest album ‘The Meanest Of Times’. Although it’s short with only 4 tracks it clearly shows that this band have persevered and achieved something well and truly great, and that is just brilliant songs.
If you’ve never listened to the Dropkick Murphys before this EP is a great way to check them out, and if you love it their album will be even better.