The Dropkick Murphys have come back strong with their newest studio release, "Sing Loud, Sing Proud." This seven piece
from South Boston has again taken elements from punk, Irish, folk ballads, and rock and roll, along with the most energy to date on any other of their studio releases. This album opens with a strong anthem called "For Boston" that would make Ted
Williams and Larry Bird proud. Even the non Irish will sing until their blood turns green to "The Legend of Finn McCumhail," the classic "Rocky Road to Dublin" and "Good Rats," the tale of some fun lovin rats in a brewery which the Murphys enlisted Shane McGowen from The pogues on vocals. The soft spoken ballads "Forever," in which the dead are never forgotten and "The Torch," that explores difficulties in blue collar families. Also feel free to sing along to strong Irish punk and working class anthems like "Which Side Are You On," "The Gauntlet," and "Heroes From Our Past." A tweaked out version of "Caps and Bottles" from the 1997 release "Boys on the Docks" appears as well. The album ends on a bit of humor, as the band tells the hilarious story of their bagpiper, Spicy McHaggis, looking for fat chicks. This humor is a new elements for the Murphys, and they used it extremely well. This album has very few weak points and is worth your working class dollar.

stars: **** (of 5)

- Shawn Halek
shalek33@aol.com