Many people seem to slate this album because it is seen as a departure from Do or Die. While that album was by for a more raw Oi!punk sound this album does have its merits.

DM give us the same Oi! chants, Irish heritage and lyrics about drinking that have made them popular. Track that stands out for me is "Fields of Athenry" Great to hear it rendered into an Oi! track (Wonder if the DM know it is a popular terrace song of Liverpool fans (all be it with the lyrics changed to "Fields of Anfield Road"))

Outside the Shankly Gates
I heard a Kopite calling
Shankly they have taken you away
But you left a great eleven
Before you went to heaven
Now it's glory round the Fields of Anfield Road.

All round the Fields of Anfield Road
Where once we watched the King Kenny play (and he could play)
We had Heighway on the wing
We had dreams and songs to sing
Of the glory round the Fields of Anfield Road

Outside the Paisley Gates
I heard a Kopite calling
Paisley they have taken you away
You led the great 11
Back in Rome in 77
And the Redmen they are still playing the same way
All round the Fields of Anfield Road
Where once we watched the King Kenny play (and he could play)
We had Heighway on the wing
We had dreams and songs to sing
Of the glory round the Fields of Anfield Road

The DM have often been compared to Cock Sparrar and Sham 69 and that would probably be a fair comparaison. Don't know why anyone would have a problem with the DM celebrating their Irish heritage this is a pretty good album.

Well worth a listen.

In my mind, alot the people that hated this album are just mad at the fact that the Dropkick Murphys aren't your little underground punk rockers anymore. Seriously, I don't see why this is as hated as it is. It's actually really good if you actually open your mind and give it a chance. But, I guess the kiddies want their punk and nothing more.
Apparently people say that this album is filled with "gimmicky Irish songs". First of all, apparently anything besides punk is "gimmicky" to you people. Second, alot of these songs don't have Irish folk roots. The bagpipes are hardly ever used in Irish folk. Just because it's a melodic song with bagpipes doesn't mean it's an Irish jig. Look for Flogging Molly or The Tossers if you want that (or the Dropkick's previous album, SLSP).
Second, people complain that Al Barr is losing his voice on this album. No, he's improving on this album. But I see you punk whiners only want cookie monster vocals instead of people with any talent. Go listen to your casualties albums and leave this alone.

Look, I might come off as mean, but this album is so unfairly slashed that I feel the need to defend it. I just really like it, and I don't care if you don't, but some people's statements have just been idiotic.

I'll admit, I was disappointed with this album, but all in all it's still a decent buy. But I'd equate this album with the BossTones' album "Let's Face It"... An attempt to go 'mainstream' that results in a loss of that raw sound that made them such a pleasure to listen to.

Ah, the Dropkick Murphys. If you are reading this review or thinking of buying this CD because you want some mellow but witty pub songs, and a stirring mandolin cover of "Wild Rover" or "Lessie Lindsey" to enjoy while you gaze upon your Brookstone cork Shamrock coasters in your handcrafted home bar while drinking expensive neatly brewed import beer, maybe later watching a nice program about the Emerald Isle on PBS, this is not the CD for you. Stop reading this review.

Witty as it may be, this is not quiet pub music. Nay, the Dropkick Murphys are and have been for as long as I can remember the forerunners in absolutely rowdy drunken barroom Irish/American rock music. They play their instruments about as well as any punk rock band, albiet alittle better than most, and the vocals are gravely and rough. However there is absolutely nobody who can match the energy found in any Dropkick Murphys album (or live show... however we will not get into that). The songs are filled with fire. They are filled with pride, loyalty, and a strong identity that is so lacking in this grey society these days. The Dropkick Murphys are absolutely not politically correct, they are whole-heartedly Irish and American and they embrace it in the face of accusations of closed-mindedness. I guess it's tough embracing your heritage and identity these days.

Blackout is a thuroughly solid record. Easily their most polished album. They seem to have buffed the presentation, and rounded out some of the rough edges, mainly in their guitar sound and vocals. Really the only song I would give the thumbs down to is their cover of Woody Guthrie's "There's Gonna Be A Blackout Tonight" which sounds somewhat forced and unnatural. The other tracks however have the classic Dropkick flow to them. "Dirty Glass" in particular is a great track that doccuments a wonderful love-hate relationship between Al and his bartender Darcy. The song really captures the progression of a night of drinking, it starts off kinda tipsy, and by the end the lyrics are slurred and insults are being hurled freely. The energy level is still fantastic through out.

Again this is beer swilling fighting-good-time music for those who embrace their Irish roots, or those who are just Irish on St. Patty's Day. Either way, if you're a fan of completely unique mayhem, the Dropkick Murphys are for you, and Blackout is a great place to start.

"Time to Go" is awesome even I don't know a thing about the Boston Bruins. Other highlights include "Walk Away", "This is your Life" and "Bastards on Parade". Just Awesome