LUCKY ALBUM 13 FOR CELTIC PUNK KINGS DROPKICK MURPHYS

ALBUM REVIEW | Dropkick Murphys – For The People by Craig Harston

Following on from their duology of acoustic albums (2022’s ‘This Machine Still Kills Fascists’ and 2023’s ‘Okemah Rising’, both featuring unpublished lyrics from American folk legend Woody Guthrie wrapped up in the Murphys signature Celtic punk sound) the Dropkick Murphys are once again back and keen to get loud! If last years ‘Sirens’ was the spark, ‘For The People’ is the fire that burns brightly in these dark times. It’s an album that calls back to the Murphys roots, featuring a relatively old school sound for the most part but once again capturing that sense of unity, strength, a sense of belonging and that urge to fight injustice that Bostons finest are known for. The album cover captures this well, featuring a single black rose, which is traditionally linked to death, loss, mourning and grief but can also symbolise change, renewal, rebirth and new beginnings as well as courage, confidence, strength and power.

Album opener and first single ‘Who’ll Stand With Us’ certainly picks up where ‘Sirens‘ left off. Like that song (which is notable by it’s absence on For The People) it’s a call to arms for those oppressed by the ones in charge. It’s an empowering song and absolutely relentless in it’s message of standing together against those who seek division with class warfare. It’s very punk, very thought-provoking and very Dropkick Murphys. While the rest of the album doesn’t quite pack the same punch as ‘Who’ll Stand With Us’, there’s still a lot to love. ‘The Longshot’ has the Murphys classic Celtic sound down to a tee, it’s got a sea shanty feel and will go down well in a live setting alongside the likes of ‘I’m Shipping Up To Boston’ and ‘The State Of Massachusetts’. It’s lyrics focus on taking the chances life gives you and making your own luck (“Did the shamrock on your shoulder bring good fortune and pay off?”) and features Dublin’s folk-metal band The Scratch lending their vocals to the bridge. This is followed by ‘The Big Man’; a tribute to Pennywise guitarist Fletcher Dragge, someone the Murphys look up to within the punk scene. It’s a revved up song that chugs along and has a slight Rancid sound to it, similar to how Rancid had the very Dropkick Murphys sounding ‘Prisoners Song’ on 2023’s ‘Tomorrow Never Comes’ (both bands have clearly influenced each other on their regular co-headline tours of the US).

‘Chesterfields And Aftershave’ is the first of three songs to pay tribute to the passing of a loved one, a song that wouldn’t feel out of place on the acoustic albums as frontman Ken Casey remembers the grandfather who raised him, while ‘Streetlights’, after kicking off with a very Stiff Little Fingers guitar riff, finds him reflecting on the passing of his father at 8 years old, “I never thought that I would write a song about the day my Dad died,” admits the frontman, “but sometimes, like a lot of our songs, suddenly the right words or the right way to say it will pop into my head. And it’s like, ‘OK, well, now it’s time to tell that story’”. Closing out the album is a heartfelt tribute to the late Shane McGowan of The Pogues, ‘One Last Time’, which manages to evoke joy at the same time as going through the grieving period with it’s powerful refrain of “In a million empty bottles we cried/down goes the hero/one last goodbye”.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Dropkick Murphys album without a cover song and ‘For The People’ finds Billy Bragg participating on a cover of Ewan McColl’s ‘School Days Over’. Casey and Bragg work well together on the vocals and the bagpipes and guitar are really on point. Elsewhere, ‘Kids Game’ is a sped up punk song featuring nostalgic lyrics, plenty of drums, a great chorus and an excellent guitar solo on the bridge, ‘Fiending For The Lies’ is a breakneck punk ‘n’ roll song that keeps up the pace for 2 minutes and 42 seconds and ‘Sooner Kill ‘Em First’ has a marching feel to it (some excellent drumming from Matt Kelly) with some great gang vocals.

Best of all for long time Dropkick Murphys fans is ‘Let The Vultures Circle’ which finds Al Barr on guest vocals, the veteran singer taking time away from looking after his family to join his other family for an ode to accepting the inevitable. It’s great to hear his voice on the record and it honestly feels like no time has passed, with everything coming together perfectly on the song and adding to the nostalgic feel of the record.

Dropkick Murphys are known for their rowdy live shows (that also makes everyone in attendance feel like they’re a part of the family) and every song here will slot in nicely with the live staples (a couple already have, with ‘Big Man’ and ‘Who’ll Stand With Us’ featuring in some of their recent shows). But ultimately, the Murphys have done what they do best – put together a selection of great songs that are great to listen to and have something to say, reminding people they’re not alone in this fucked up world. As the title says, it’s ‘For The People’.

‘For The People’ releases to streaming on 4th July with physical versions releasing later in the year on 16th October and can be pre-ordered here –https://dropkickmurphysstore.uk/products/for-the-people-2xwhite-vinyl