Alive And Loud - Cock Sparrer

Advantages: Great sing-along tracks and memorable melodies
Disadvantages: Standard Few Weak Tracks

...The Dropkick Murphys are a band that combines the sound of Irish Folk music with punk rock. Listening to the music you can hear how the band has been influenced by the likes of the Pogues, Cock Sparrer and the Clash. The end result is a unique style of punk that in itself has influenced other American-Irish Punk bands. The bands lyrics are heavily influenced towards their Boston, American, Irish and working class roots. In 2001 the Dropkick Murphy's (DKM) released Sing Loud, Sing Proud an album filled full of rowdy, drunken sing-alongs and a few sentimental pieces that reflect on friends and family. The line-up of DKM is: Al Barr (Lead Vocals) Ken Casey (Vocals, Bass) Matt Kelly (Drums, Vocals) James Lynch (Guitar, Vocals) Marc Orrell (Guitar, Piano, Vocals) Tim Brennan (Accordion, Mandolin, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals) Spicy... Read review

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Advantages: Some good versions of traditional tracks, excellent fast pace
Disadvantages: Won't be to everyones tastes

...and in the same way that House Of Pain brought the Irish influence into the world of Rap music, the Murphys seem to be doing to the punk world. This album was actually produced by the band and recorded in their hometown of Boston. With Ken Casey taking the lead role in the production stakes he seems to have got the bands sound to be exactly what they are looking for. As well as including a number of original tracks on this album they have also include covers of traditional tracks “Rocky Road To Dublin” and “Wild Rover” and a rendition of the Boston College anthem “For Boston”. There are also guest appearances on vocals from Cock Sparrer’s Colin McFaull and The Pogues Shane McGowan, which gave the band a chance to work with one of their main influences. While the musical element of the album isn’t exactly crisp I think it actually adds... Read review

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Advantages: Great sound, no real duff tracks - really consistant
Disadvantages: Accused of selling out (I disagree)

...The band: Sammy James Junior - lead vocals, rhythm guitar + percussion Graham Tyler - Lead guitar, vocals, percussion Augie Wilson - Drums, vocals, percussion Michael Miles - Bass guitar, percussion, vocals. Also on the album: Mike Finnegan - Clavinet on 'New York Girls' and Hammond organ on 'Sometimes Somethin' and 'Naked Lady' Lynn Davis - vocals on 'Alive and Amplified', 'loose n juicy' and 'Naked Lady' The Matrix - Additional vocals on 'Alive and Amplified' Victor Indrizzo - additional percussion This album is absolubtly fantastic! It is one of the most well written albums and doesnt have one single bad track. The Mooney Suzuki are quite unknown but are one of the best sounding rock bands around. The tracks: Primitive Condition Alive & Amplified Legal High New York Girls Shake That Bush Again Sometimes... Read review

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