Review

An album of drinking, dancing, singing and smiling.
Taking their name from Molly Malone’s bar where they started, LA grunge merchants Flogging Molly combine their Celtic ancestry with current influences better than most. There are a few clichés and simplistic sentiments on their powerhouse second album (usually involving alcohol, fighting and unrequited love) but they perish in the volley of crackling guitars and the sheer force of the group's enthusiasm. The deeply emotive “Death Valley Queen,” “What’s Left of the Flag” and “If I Ever Leave This World Alive” are serious additions to the rich repertoire of Irish song. An always uplifiting cocktail of accompanying fiddle, whistle and accordions tend to do the rest and they even throw in a decent version of Pete St John’s “Rare Oul’ Times” for good measure. An album of drinking, dancing, singing and smiling.