Drunken Lullabies

Dave King and Co. are back with all the frantic energy and irish pride that gained them so many fans in their debut album, "Swagger." Old fans will be instantly familiar with the kicking sound of the title track "Drunken Lullabies" and the much more laid back "If I Ever Leave This World Alive," which brings back memories of "The Worst Day Since Yesterday." The high energy tracks continue with a great new song, "The Kilburn High Road" and a great studio rendition of "Swagger."

Where this album outshines it's predecessor, however, is in the final few tracks, which really give an indication how the band is growing musically and has tons of potential to be even better. "Another Bag of Bricks" has a great sound that is very distinct and different from a lot of the other stuff Flogging Molly has done before...it represents a great middle ground between the frantic tracks like "Lullabies" and "The Kilburn High Road" and the slower "If I Ever Leave This World Alive."

The final track, "The Son Never Shines (On Closed Doors)," is Flogging Molly at it's best...Lyrics sung by King with the kind of emotion and beauty that hit you square in the heart. Songs like this make me think that the best is definately yet to come from these guys and the road there is going to be musical magic.

All in all, "Drunken Lullabies" is an awesome CD that deserves attention and respect. Order it and find the Irishman in you...


Incredible   May 18, 2003
debeehr (Illinois, USA)
17 out of 20 found this review helpful

My boyfriend sent me this last year during finals week. Damn him (just kidding). Within the first day of getting it I burned out the batteries on my discman from listening to it continuously over and over. It's a harder-edged and angrier sound than Swagger, but just as good, and just like Swagger it's impossible to sit still while listening to it. Great!


One of the best bands of all time.   September 25, 2006
RandomBum
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

I never really was into punk music too much. I thought it was too much screaming, and not enough instrumentation. THen, I discovered Flogging Molly, one of the greatest things to ever happen. I listened to Drunken Lullabies, and was immedietely hooked on this band. THis is an amazing CD that truly deserves recognition. This was the first Flogging Molly CD I listened to, and got me completely hooked on this Irish/Folksy punk band.
Track by Track:
1. "Drunken Lullabies": Brilliant opening, with a cool sounding banjo in the beginning, an awesome fiddle, and some great lyrics. 10/10
2. "Whats Left of the Flag": Another awesome song, with even better lyrics than drunken lullabies. Its not as catchy musically, but only barely so. Many consider this one of their best because of its bitter lyrics. Again, a great violin, and some really good singing. 9.5/10
3. "May the living be dead in our wake": Its similar sounding to the first two, except instead of a violin, there's a flute, which makes an awesome sound. Its still fast paced and upbeat, but more soothing than the first two songs. 9/10
4. "If I ever leave this world alive": A slow ballad that is remarkably well done. After three fast songs, it may not seem as good, but give this song some time, and you'll enjoy it. The singing is excellent here, showing Dave King's vocal power and range. 8/10
5. "The Kilburn High Road": Again, another fast paced one with a killer guitar solo, and another flute. Similar sounding to "May the living..." with a VERY catchy chorus that I always find myself singing. 9/10
6. "Rebels of a sacred heart": This is a different style song. It has a slow opening that may sound not so good, but it has an intensely catchy chorus, and if you give it several listens, it is excellent. Its long, but definetely a brilliant addition. 9/10
7. "Swagger": One of the weaker songs of the album. It is completely instrumental, with only one line that means nothing. However cool the melody is, its too repetitive to be good. THe guitar is a treat here, but again, too repetitive. Luckily its short. 6/10
8. "Cruel Mistress": There's a change of singers here, but the song is still instrumentally amazing. I don't care much for the bass player singing, I think Dave King is a lot better, but this guy provides a more sinister and evil sort of sound, and the whole songs sounds very pirate like and kind of catchy. Its not the best, but still pretty well done. 7.5/10
9. "Death Valley Queen": This is one of my personal favorites. The violin is very well done here, and despite the fact that its a slow song, which may turn people away, the lyrics are extraordinary, about a lost love. I love this song. 9/10
10. "Another Bag of Bricks": THis one sounds arabian and asian with the accordian opening it, and is different and cool. Dave King has a more sinister tone in his voice, it kind of reminds me of "Cruel MIstress". Its better though, and certainly a break from the style of the first three songs. Again, its good, but not excellent. 8/10
11. "The Rare Ould Times": Many consider this song filler, but I love the chorus. The singing/lyrics here are great, although there's not too much in the melody. Like "Cruel MIstress", its good, but not great. 7.5/10
12. "The Son Never Shines": THis is a ballad, and personally, I don't like it. Its too slow, and rather boring. THe singing is good, but the melody, instrumentation is too boring for me. Overall, a weak finish. 5/10.

However, despite a couple blemishes (The Son Never Shines, Swagger) this album is amazing. Definetely, if you like music with great melodies, and yet still a upbeat feel, this is a brilliant album.


Former FASTWAY Front Man Shines!   February 22, 2003
donny jaynes (Islamorada, Florida Keys, USA)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

As a 39 year old headbanger, I was doing some research trying to find out what became of Dave King after he left one of my favorite early 80's bands FASTWAY. (Dave and Fast Eddie Clark ruled!) I stumbled onto Flogging Molly on All Music Guide and decided to give it a shot. WOW. Being older and not just a one dimensional metal head anymore, this cd opened up my ears to a whole differnt sound. The blend of Irish folk with punk rock is certainly new to me, but I love it! From the fast opener "Drunken Lullabies" to the somber closer, "Sun Never Shines", I was simply blown away; "Kilburn High Road" will be worn of my disc by tommorow, my absolute favorite! Dave and the band's writing is exceptional, the tales they tell interesting. And while I doubt Dave can belt out "Say What You Will" like he did in 1983, his voice can still reach the higher octives just fine. By all means get this one, you wont regret it.