Flogging
Molly - Float (Sideonedummy Records)
Our crew (my son Steve an our friends and
fellow Jersey Beaters Frank and Tim)got our
first glimpse of Flogging Molly about eight
years ago in Boston (remind me to tell you
about my "Yankees cap in Boston"
story some time), when we went to check out
Catch 22 at their Warped Tour show.
We were walking out over a small hill into
a meadow, as the temperature hit triple digits
by noontime. Expecting to hear the rumblings
of some hardcore punk rock as we approached
the stage, what to our wondering eyes and
ears should appear but Flogging Molly. Quite
unexpectedly we were greeted by not punk rock,
but acoustic instruments (accordion, penny
whistle, violin) that immediately cooled us
all off like a sweet breeze. Then, all of
a sudden, it was like we were swept up into
a whirlwind that seemed to suck up everything
its path, moving everyone toward the stage.
"Devil's Dance Floor" was in full
swing as the guitars, drums, and one of the
most original voices in punk rock meshed with
the aforementioned instruments, creating a
hot blizzard of music. There was no one sitting
now, everyone was up - crowd surfing, moshing,
and doing their best interpretation of the
Irish Jig!
Their set proved to be a landmark, as Flogging
Molly went on to become an international phenomenon,
and their music grew far beyond its Celtic
roots. On Float, lead singer Dave King's angst/anger-ridden
vocals have a lot in common with bands like
The Pogues and The Dropkick Murphys. Thay
all share the genre's frequently political,
extremely personal viewpoint, be they about
romance (rarely), self-doubt, hopes and fears
("You Won't Make a Fool Out Of Me"),
and the idea that we're all in this together,
the good, the bad, and the ugly.
"(No More) Paddy's Lament" comes
complete with a blistering guitar solo that
turns into a rave-up, backed by extreme violin
and accordion, taking the song to the outer
reaches of Celtic punk rock. On their fourth
album, Flogging Molly are able to transcend
the limitations of
being a "pub band," with a clutch
of powerful songs ("Float," "Between
a Man and A Woman," "Man With No
Country," "The Story So Far"),
assisted by King's impassioned vocals, and
the group's overall intense playing.
That's not to say that they’ve abandoned
their passion for setting the stage on fire
("Punch Drunk Grinning Soul," "The
Lightning Storm," "Requiem for a
Dying Song"). Guitarist Dennis Casey
has jelled with his distinctive guitar sound,
as the rest of the band creatively explode
on each and every song. The melodies, messages,
and the general excitement level are some
of Flogging Molly's best. Whether it's in
the studio, and especially their live show
(I'll never forget that day we saw them on
the Warped Tour. After their set I immediately
went to their merch table and brought a copy
of their first album, "Swagger."
It made the long drive home from Boston very
tolerable), Flogging Molly are capable of
greatness. - Phil Rainone
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