One of only two founding members left in the band, drummer Matt Kelly is one of the most underrated drummers from the world of punk rock in my opinion.

Paying My Way starts out with a nice piano and drum combination. Everyone in the band has a microphone, allowing a feeling of inclusiveness with the listener. We get to the chorus and, of course, the trademark Dropkick Murphys gang vocals come into play. Ken and Al's dual vocals work brilliantly again, feeling likes a musical conversation between the two singers. I found myself singing along whilst I was writing this review.įirst Class Loser is about knowing that guy that everybody hates that you try your best to avoid. Sandlot is immediately catchy and you'll be singing along before you know it. Ken Casey takes lead vocals duties and sings about being young and not having much but realising you still had all the fun you could possibly have. Sandlot is the name of the fourth song on the album. Like a lot of Dropkick Murphys songs, it's about standing up for what you believe in and having the will to fight for it.

It's a barroom drinking song that will get a whole crowd singing along and stomping their feet. It's a slow plodder of a song that also packs plenty of punch. The next song Blood heavily features the talents of new Dropkick Murphys bagpiper Lee Forshner. Rebel With A Cause is about a kid who appears to be down and out but has a lot of heart and is willing to fight for what they believe in. Al's deeper vocal alongside Ken's more rough sound work wonderfully together. This happens immediately here and really gives the song an up-tempo feel. A really enjoyable feature of the Dropkick Murphys sounds has always been Al Barr and Ken Casey trading vocals during a song. Getting the album going properly is the track Rebel With A Cause. I also imagine this will now be the opening track at a Dropkick Murphys live show. The Lonely Boatman serves as an introduction to the album. With a long introductory whistle opening up the song, it builds to that classic Dropkicks sound with some big gang vocal 'Whoa-ohs' throughout the rest of the track. The album kicks off with a song named The Lonely Boatman.

Dropkick murphys albums sold