Review Summary: The Bloody Irish Boys first and only record to date is a mixed bag of punk rock, folk and traditional Irish music. And for the most part it works.
I'll admit despite being an avid metal-head with the occasional craving for jazz, classical and hardcore I do have a soft spot for punk rock fused with traditional Irish elements. The Bloody Irish Boys pull this fusion off well.
For fans of this style of music (Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphy's etc etc..), this album is a lot of fun to drunkenly sing along with your drinking buddies. For anyone who enjoys drinking a few beers and having a good fight, throw this album on and enjoy.
There are, like any good album, a few flaws which detract from the album. The violins, bagpipes, keyboards, mandolin, tin whistle, accordion and (according to the official website) 4 different bassists are sometimes indistinguishable and meld together. Upon first listening to this record the lyrics are infantile and can sometimes make one cringe. Still, one cant expect too much in the vocabulary department from a group of self-professed alcoholics playing "Drunk Rock" I suppose.
Opening track "Enniscorthy in a Bottle" kicks off with some marching snare drum hits and a very Celtic sounding violin and bagpipes. The track is infectious with a driving snare/hi-hat punk beat and followed by a chorus full of accordian.
"Rare Auld Extra Stout" is a particular gem on the record with the chorus "Hey dont close down yet, we've only just begun, theres still more beer to drink, so there's still more fun" which will make you want to go to your favorite pub and demand they never close.
Tracks such as "My Wicked Ways" and "Just For a Night" are lacking both musically and instrumentally,
and almost every song on the record is about over-drinking and occasionally, the feelings singer Shayne Underwood has with being hopeless and knowing he has a definite drinking problem.
All in all, this record is very good for those who enjoy good Irish Punk music along with more than a couple of beers.
