Drunken Lullabies (CD - 2002)

Flogging Molly includes: Dave King (vocals, acoustic guitar, banjo, bodhran, spoons); Nathan Maxwell (vocals, bass); Dennis Carsey (electric guitar, background vocals); Robert Schmidt (banjo, bouzouki, mandolin, background vocals); Bridget Regan (fiddle, whistle, Uilleann pipes); Matt Hensley (accordion); George Schwindt (drums).

Engineers include: Steve Albini, Patrick Shevelin, Ted Hutt.

Recorded at Electrical Audio, Chicago, Illinois; EMG Studios, Los Angeles, California.

Personnel: Dave King (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo, bodhran, spoons, background vocals); Nathen Maxwell (vocals, background vocals); Dennis Casey (guitar, electric guitar, background vocals); Robert Schmid (banjo, bouzouki, mandolin, background vocals); Bob Schmidt (mandolin); Bridget Regan (violin, fiddle, tin whistle, Uilleann pipe, background vocals); Matt Hensley (accordion); George Schwindt (drums).

Audio Mixers: Ted Hutt; Patrick Shevelin.

Recording information: Electrical Audio Studios, Chicago, IL (2001); EMG Studios, Los Angeles, CA (2001).

Photographer: Lisa Johnson .

Arranger: Flogging Molly.

Flogging Molly boasts a feisty Irish heart and pub rock influences aplenty on Drunken Lullabies, an boisterous collection of hyper-energetic songs rendered in a rush of patriotic frenzy. Lead singer Dave King leads an raucous army of guitars, violins, whistles, and accordions through torrid tales of freedom, political struggle, love found, and love unrequited bolstered by a rhythm section steeped in a pure punk rock aesthetic. Engineered by Steve Albini, this album explodes with the exuberance of a live performance, leaving in the sour notes and call-and-response verses that are equally infectious and endearing. The title track kicks off the set in a breakneck speed that never lets up, decrying the ills of modern society whilst drowning sorrows, hopes, and fears in alcohol and camaraderie. "Death Valley Queen" is a dirge of Dylanesque proportions where King bemoans the rejection he suffers from a not-so-fair maiden with courage and deep sorrow. But misery, no matter how temporary, loves good company. And there's plenty to be found on Drunken Lullabies. After one listen, you'll probably wish you were Irish. ~ Tom Semioli

Let's get one thing straight right off the bat; they're not the Pogues. The casual listener might be forgiven for making such a mistake, as Flogging Molly is clearly influenced by Shane McGowan's rabble-rousers, but beyond the combination of lyrical Irish folk with punky rock rhythms, Flogging Molly is a band with its own identity. As the accordion, fiddle and banjo toss off traditional sounds steeped in Irish musical history, the slamming drums, raging guitar, and of course vocalist/songwriter Dave King's colorful tales present a forceful rock outfit. "What's Left of the Flag" shows Flogging Molly's political acumen, while "The Sun Never Shines (On Closed Doors)" takes on larger, more metaphysical subjects. But whether the septet, who wield pennywhistles and pipes as easily as Telecasters and Stratocasters, are playing the role of rowdies or reinventing the folk ballad with rocker fury, their emotional commitment is palpable and total. minimize