Customer Review(s)
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Take a second listen
Comment: My initial reaction to this album was a touch of disappointment. This is certainly not the same Flogging Molly of yesteryear. They are more mature, their lyrics are crafted more carefully, and the melody is developed and sophisticated. Yet, for some reason it did not strike me instantly as the previous albums have. So why the 5 stars? Recently, I had some of those life changing experiences in my life that we all have, and this album happened to pop up in my random play. I really gave it a listen then. Without preconceived notion or expectation. I listened to it for what it was. And i fell in Love. This album really hits home, when you have that sort of moment of epiphany. The thoughtful lyrics, and thought invoking melody, are a beautiful combination. This is not a drinking album, as the previous may have been. This is an album, however, that will impact you in some way.. will make you think in some way... Will invoke emotion, be it joy, sadness, longing, or comfort. This album will envelope you, if you just give it a chance.
That is what music should do, is it not?
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Treading water, drinking watered down whiskey...
Comment: Dave King is an erudite and obviously intelligent soul but he's trying far too hard to squeeze his education into the good time Oirish punk rock Flogging Molly produce.
He takes well worn cliches, gives them a twist and fails. Adding a spin or trying to create new ones just drags the whole Flogging Molly experience down. It's something that has hampered every Molly album, just as you're getting into it a lyric jars and you're left thinking ??? when all you want is simple heartfelt passion.
That said, if you like their previous stuff you'll enjoy this, it's by no means a bad album but don't expect a 'Black Friday Rule' or 'Rebels of the Sacred Heart' or even a 'Tobacco Island'. It's a pale shadow compared to anything from 'Drunken Lullabies' or 'Swagger'.
I love Flogging Molly but Dave King has to stop trying; Drink yer Guinness, down yr whiskey and don't start recording the next Molly album until you can't stand up/yr mind's a blank... Because what Flogging Molly need is a dunderheaded thug roaring "My heart belongs to Ireland" or "I'll never hurt you Molly, my love. Not again" with that wry Shane MacGowen glance askance that tells us all that, soon as the little woman's put out, she'll feel the back of my hand! (And she, bless her, will love her man no matter what.) I'm talking passion; rightly or wrongly.
They don't need another album of borrowed cliches.
