Flogging Molly: Within a Mile of Home (3rd studio album)
This album delivers more of the same outrageous tone and gives off the same energy that makes the croud go crazy over while they are playing live. However this album sounds different than the first two as this album definately sounds like post millenium content (year 2000+) even though Drunken Lullabies was actually -released- in 2000, it was created before that. Probably sounds this way because this album was recorded, mixed, and engineered from scratch unlike the first two albums which were recorded live and decently polished. Although some people would prefer the first two over this album, Within a Mile of Home definately grows on you, and existing fans would love this album as much as the other ones.
Please read/listen to the previous Flogging Molly albums in order to get up to speed.
Content:
1. Screaming at the Wailing Wall: This song is a rant about Bush's war and politics (you probably heard that already). It opens up the album very fast as each album had a very nice grabber/hook. This song shows their more post millenium approach that would tell you that this song is from their newest album without actually knowing it. Very powerful lyrics but mostly simple yet energetic instrumentation.
2. The Seven Deadly Sins: This tends to be the "cool" song of this album and for good reason, very fast delivery and great rhythm. Sort of like the sequel to "Salty Dog" not lyrically but instrumentally. The first track carries over to this one perfectly and keeps the pulses pumping "Sail away where no ball and chain can keep us from the roar'in waves, Together undivided but forever we'll be free"
3. Factory Girls: Guest singer Lucinda Williams join Flogging Molly for this song, however when played live, Fiddler Bridget Regan covers for her (and she does a damn fine job). As great as this song is, the album could have been structured better, after the previous track, this song would tend to kill the rhythm which can be disappointing. This song might sound better if it were played acoustically because the vocals would stand out a bit more.
4. To Youth: This song should have been right after The Seven Deadly Sins in sequence. A very blue-grassy approach that turns out to be very effective with the tin whistle dueling with what sounds like a bazouki or banjo, on top of the roaring electric guitar and vocal work that keeps up with it all. This song was also featured in a FIFA soccer game, very appropriate.
5. Whistles the Wind: A very dramatic intro/end, very progressive song, this would not typically be expected from Flogging Molly but it turned out well. Passionate lyrics and a very powerful violin (wont call it fiddle playing in this song) with supporting viola and cello playing. Flogging Molly was able to pull this one off surprisingly.
6. The Light of a Fading Star: Probably one of the tracks that is easily forgettable the first time you listen to it because of its seemingly bland intro with a very distorted electric guitar with Dave's vocals running with it. Past the middle and near the end you would notice excellent violin playing (wont call it fiddle playing this time either) that really carry this song towards the end.
7. Tobacco Island: A Song that Dave King was very happy with, as well as many fans. Musically this song sounds like "To Youth" combined with "The Seven Deadly Sins" with very powerful and haunting vocals. Excellent banjo playing keeps this song under control and properly in-tune. This seems to be the epic song of this album.
8. The Wrong Company: Yes people would think that this isnt a song and i dont blame you at all. But almost all songs ever created re-use versus and chorus lines many times, this song does not. And this song may come close to other songs as in lyrical length (but i still dont blame you at all).
9. Tomorrow Comes a Day Too Soon: This song has a cajun-like style to it with the rhythm-keeping accordian constantly following the highly improvised fiddle and for the most part it sounds really nice. This is probably my favorite song from this album because of its catchiness. If you are able to slow down your pace a bit, you would have no problem getting into this song.
10. Queen Anne's Revenge: Frontman Dave King steps back as Nathen Maxwell takes the stage. Nathen has a very unique voice that is very percussive and controlled (although he might have gone a little crazy on his last lead vocal on "Cruel Mistress") Great accordian playing follows to trailblaze the fiddle at the mid-end of the song. Very dark lyrics needed a voice like Nathens.
11. The Wanderlust: This song sounds quite similar to "To Youth" only a little bit slower and a more controlled tune with the tin whistle. The drum and bass keep the rhythm going very well in this song. The accordian keep the backround music alive.
12. Within a Mile of Home: The title track may sound a little similar to "Tomorrow Comes a Day Too Soon" because of how the fiddle and accordian play with each other. This song sounds much better live than recorded (you should listen to the Whiskey on a Sunday live version and you would know what i am talking about.)
13. The Spoken Wheel: Guest vocalist Noel o' Donovan join Flogging Molly for this song, surprised me the first time i heard it. Sure it may have been unnecesary but it still works. Very good concertina playing by Matt Hensley at the end and leads up to the next track very well.
14. With a Wonder and a Wild Desire: Probably their most intense song to date (the end of the song gets very intense). The accordian/concertina and bass rack up the rhythm near the end while the fiddle shows true emotion during this song. This is easily my favorite song in the album. Very powerful lyrics too.
15. Dont Let Me Die Still Wondering: Flogging Molly's typical less energetic song at the end (who could expect something energetic after they experienced the end of the last track?). But all of their slow songs have very powerful lyrics that ought to be listened to.
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(+'s)
- More of the same stuff (more of what Flogging Molly fans want)
- different, modern vibe
- With a Wonder and a Wild Desire
- Definately not a disapointment for most
(-'s)
- More of the same stuff (If anyone expected something totally new by now)
- does not sound as raw as the previous albums (this is not the case when played live)
Conclusion: This band gains most of its popularity from the live shows and the band admits that the records do not capture the songs as the way it was intended. Although most people would prefer the other 2 albums before this one, they should not look down on this album. All Flogging Molly music is very original and still very good regardless if their previous work was better.
Thanks for reading and i hope to get feedback.
