(Running time: 38:43 minutes; 11 songs)
("Born & Bred Records"; 2017; CD):
Hey guys, here it is, the final record-review-post for 2017 and this time I thought why not finally do it on the pretty much very first 2017 release that I bought in 2017 (if I do remember it now correctly) and so now here finally comes my review on the current new album of the almighty DROPKICK MURPHYS that carries the title "11 SHORT STORIES OF PAIN & GLORY" and that was released at the pretty much early beginning of 2017 via "BORN & BRED RECORDS". So, yes, if you know me personally or if you know about me through being a reader of this very blog here now for already a little bit longer than you know that the DROPKICK MURPHYS are since the glory days of their "DO OR DIE" debut an absolute favourite of mine and of highest importance for me, hell yeahr, and so when "11 SHORT STORIES OF PAIN & GLORY" finally was released at the beginning of this now already almost gone'n'over year I was damn fucking excited and curious and I stormed the record store and took it with me - and it totally conquered me one more time again, yes, and I mean it TOTALLY CONQUERED. For sure the DROPKICK MURPHYS aren't doing anything revolutionary new on here but why should they and also their delivery is absolutely top notch again and it's so fresh and alive/lively with the typical unique DROPKICK MURPHYS identity and character and still with exciting twists'n'turns all along the ride and much or better highly grapping arrangements (like for example the Country impressions in the arrangements and the delivery of the verses of "FIRST CLASS LOSER") and an even stronger than before BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN inspired Rock and Rock & Roll influence while still staying true to their Punkrock/Streetpunk and also even to their Oi! roots, yes, and that "11 SHORT STORIES OF PAIN & GLORY" is completly filled with Celtic/Irish Folk elements should be clear and should also need no further explanations anyhow anyway here and now. The songwritiung is one more time again highest skilled and nicely diverse while strongly vayring and offering as one central focus point anthemic arranged verses and even more outstanding hymnal sing-a-long refrains that always deliver an incredible amount of exploding energy, honest passion, and heartfelt power and that never get stale or lame. All is delivered by hard rocking and yet very melodic and play- as well as soulful delivered guitars and a rich Irish Folk instrumentation and both elements mark the music and songs heavily, yes, and the same is to say about the fantastic and incredible charismatic shared lead vocals that are also massively enriched and backed up by loud'n'proud crew chants. Then there's the tight and to the point played rhythm section that only adds up to the massive quality of the songs and the music. Great, strong, and outspoken lyrics, a pretty cool artwork, and a fantastic warm and organic production sound finally round it all up. To give you any personal favorites would make no real sense, after all the songs are of the same highest quality grade, yes, and so I spare me any more words. This is one of the very, very best releases that this year came out and this now from january 2017 on, and still going strong. And like the lyrics so's the music, one of the most powerful albums I've heard this year and also in years (and probably also for years). So, yes, I think that's it all, and so if you really should still not have it then by any means change this as soon as possible. Yes, and then that's it for 2017 and we'll read us next year again. I wish you all a great 'year-change' and then untill 2018. Cheers & Oi!
(10 of 10 points)
http://www.dropkickmurphys.com/ (-the link to the homepage of the band)
DROPKICK MURPHYS - "BLOOD" (2017, "11 SHORT STORIES OF PAIN & GLORY")
+Murderers+row+(2011)+-+The+bully+breed.jpg)