Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 09/14/2004
Flogging Molly expand their
Celtic-
punk sound with an album that's more mature, more polished, and not quite as intense as its predecessor, although it does have its share of high-energy numbers. There are some thrashing
punk tunes, some
folk ballads, some relatively mainstream
hard rock (although there's usually a tin whistle or fiddle to remind you this is
Flogging Molly), a Cajun feel on
"Tomorrow Comes a Day Too Soon" (which showcases
Matt Hensley on accordion), a brief
a cappella performance by
Dave King (
"The Wrong Company"), and even a duet with
Lucinda Williams on
"Factory Girls." The songs address such topics as U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East (
"Screaming at the Wailing Wall"), Irish workers on 17th century sugar plantations in Barbados (
"Tobacco Island"), and being prepared to leave nothing behind at death (
"Don't Let Me Die Still Wondering"), with nostalgia as a common theme in several songs. The band sounds a bit softer than before, with the mix relatively de-emphasizing electric guitar in favor of other instruments, but this album should still appeal to fans of
Flogging Molly's previous work.
~Todd Kristel, All Music Guide