Few bands survive a 17-year-long career, and even fewer stay true to the same sound their fame was founded on, but the Dropkick Murphys latest album, Signed And Sealed In Blood, grants them access to this exclusive group of musicians.
The album’s first track, “The Boys Are Back”, launches the listener straight back into the Celtic punk rock sound that the Dropkick Murphys have built their career upon.
The song has a catchy, psyche up-sound that leaves you longing to spend time with your own group of friends. This opening track foreshadows the sing-along nature of almost every other cut on the album.
One thing that remains unchanged, is The Dropkick Murphys’ ability to tell a phenomenal story.
Whether it be in “The Season’s Upon Us”, a tale that comically investigates the true nature of a family Christmas, or in “Rose Tattoo” which tells a fair more somber story of loss.
Instrumentally, the album is strong. It’s cleanly produced, well balanced, and cleverly layered. It is evident that each musician is able to wield their instrument of choice with precision and passion.
Unfortunately, there is one song that detracts from the originality of Signed And Sealed In Blood.
The album’s second track, “Prisoner’s Song” opens and continually repeats a riff that is essentially the same as that of “I’m Shipping Up To Boston” in a different key.
Overall though, Signed And Sealed In Blood is a very strong album. It demonstrates the Dropkick Murphys capacity to continually produce high quality albums that inspire so many feelings on the emotional spectrum.
