Another fantastic album from the DropKicks you can just put on and listen the whole way through. No complaints here; great album great mix, and some more instant sing-along classics to shout out at there awesome shows!

This album seems to go back towards the sound of earlier DKM and I would reccomend this if you are a fan from way back when.

I've enjoyed Dropkick Murphys for a few years now, but I thought they might have peaked out with Blackout. The 2003 release marked a significant improvement from previous efforts, but the momentum didn't continue on 2005's The Warrior's Code. Fortunately, The Meanest of Times picks up where Blackout left off. Scratch that. I think it's better. (You heard me.) Both are solid from front to back, but Meanest feels as if the Murphys have finally found their essential sound. After four good but slightly raw (and not in the good way) albums, and one excellent attempt to stretch their limits (but still making an obvious effort to brandish their Celtic roots), DM has arrived - confident, talented, mature, energetic, and yes - very much Celtic.

Be careful with this one. You might not be able to put it down.

-Brandon

Without going into a whole, winding, annoying history, i'd have to say that -while there have been a few fairly respectable songs along the way- this is the first album since Do Or Die that i'm not embarassed to be caught listening to. FINALLY, this band has grown up, and while that probably seems overly negative, i truly hope that they continue in this vein. Since the departure of frontman Mike McColgan (and nearly all other original members), this band has just taken a long time to gel. But, they seem to have done it, and the Springsteen references that have been thrown around with this release actually have a bit of creedence, believe it or not. There's some respectable storytelling here, and the energy level is high and consistent. It's punk, but grown up, and the "Irish factor" is present, but not so campy (see their past 3 releases), so you won't feel like a college douchebag while you you play this (save for the "johnny i hardly knew ye" track -groan).
Long story short: If you've wanted to like the Dropkick Murphys, but found it to be tough over the past 10 years, now is a pretty good time to check back in with em.

Awesome band, and awesome album. I heard these guys back on warp tour, and they owned the show

I've heard the DKM for a long time and haven't purchased a CD until now. "Meanest of Times" is a rocked-out punk version of Celtic music that honestly is a fun listen--if you like your Celtic loud and proud.

Generally speaking, the Pogues and Great Big Sea are the most rocked-out Celtic music I like. I bought "Meanest of Times" for "(F)Lannigan's Ball" and "Johnny, I Hardly Knew You." Both are my favorites in the collection--and yes, both are a bit more Celtic than punk.

As a dropkick fan for over 13 years I liked the album for the songs that are harder and faster and reminescent of their old school stuff. I could really do with out most of the bubble-gum pop songs that are appearing more and more in recent albums. All and all it's still dropkick so I mostly enjoyed it.

DKM really gets it right. They mix social commentary, traditional Irish sounds, and a fun raunchiness to make truly enjoyable music. I hope that long time fans can forgive the potential over exposure brought on by their association with the Boston sports teams that are running the table these days.

If you're new the to DKM, you'll love it. It has all the catchy tunes and radio-friendly cuts that will keep you listening. If you're longing for the days for 'Do or Die' or even 'The Gang's All Here', this one might leave you a little disappointed. All in all, it's middle-of-the-road and I'm hoping that their next album will be a little stronger - more heart and less fluff.

Overview: This album is #6 for this Boston based Celtic-punk band. A lot has happened since the release of their first album, "Do Or Die" back in 1998. They lost their original lead singer, Mike McColgan in 1999 just after the band had won over the modern punk rock scene. They have managed to successfully continue on with their current lead singer, Al Baar. They also picked up some fame with several music fans outside of the punk rock movement thanks to their appearances on the Conan O'Brien show, The Jimmy Kimmell show, and an appearance on "The Departed" soundtrack with their song, "Shipping Up To Boston." They have also re-written the anthems for both The Boston Red Sox, and The Boston Bruins. This album is also their first release on a major label after departing Rancid's Hellcat Records.

Pros: Dropkick Murphys have returned to a sound similar to the sound they used on their 3rd album, "Sing Loud, Sing Proud." The bagpipes go along to the punk rock riffs on several songs, more so than any of their previous albums. Spider Stacy from The Pogues also sings with the band on "Flannigan's Ball." "Famous For Nothing" makes for a great introduction to this album that is full of plenty of feel good anthems about the working class, the troubled times in politics, and even some of the old depressing traditional Irish songs they covered sound upbeat, or have plenty of emotion behind them.

Cons: This band has lost some of their punk rock credibility since Mike McColgan left the band to pursue his own interest of becoming a Boston city firefighter (he recently returned to music with his new band, The Street Dogs), and they have received a large amount of criticism from even the devout fans that continue to pack concert halls to see them. This album is guaranteed not to sit well with their fan base, although it will generate a new fan base for them since their growth in popularity after "The Departed" soundtrack. The band also abandons several of the oi! influence that have been featured on previous albums.

Boston' finest are back with a new release full of good intentions and a bunch of rock-solid tunes. There are a couple of fillers too many, but it is definitely worth buying, though. Ready to sing along with your pals holding a pint of ale in your hands?

I'm not really into this CD, at least not yet...until now, I would've said that the Murphy's were maturing instrumentally with each passing album, keeping their sound fresh without abandoning their style.

I like the sound of the "State of Massachussetts" though. I actually first heard it live, and found it to be extremely catchy (if you haven't seen DKM live yet, do yourself the favor).

As for the album, the middle seems to be the strongest.

So I have been listening to these guys since i was in like 8th grade. I picked up the gangs all here back in 99. So 8 years of buying the new dkm cd when it was released. My favorite cds are The Gangs all here Do or die and sing loud, Sing proud. The meanest of times comes close though. Al Barr and Ken Caseys vocals are they best compaired to any of their earlier albums. Although its lacking on the bagpipes they still put togather a great album. My favorite songs are: Famous for nothing, God willing, Echos of A Street, Vices and Virtues, Flannigans ball, Fairmount Hill, Rude Awakinings, Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya, And Never Forget. This would be a great addition to any dropkick murphys fan's cd collection. It doesnt matter if you just started listening to them or listening to them for years, Get this cd you wont regret it.

Great album as always with dropkick murphys. The boys never dissapoint, highly recommended to any dropkick fan. Nov.11 at the myth

More collective vocals and less varied instrumentation, seems like their best work (Blackout & Sing Loud...) are behind them. Warriors Code was good and this about up to that level, definitely needs a few more spins to grab you. however, DKM, Rancid & NOFX are still the holy triumvirate of American Punk/Rock N' Roll today. Even a fairly good release such as this, is 95% better than the crap they play on commercial radio.

This Album is AWESOME I discovered the DropKick Murphy's from the DEPARTED soundtrack, I will buy more of there stuff!!

excellent band, outstanding music. no rehash or redo here. just awesome old school stuff that your girlfriend might not like but is better than football.

It's not often the case these days that a band can consistently put out albums that bring more depth and maturity to their work. All too often, bands recycle old ideas, or worse, try to match themselves with whatever
the public trends (or better still - the big marketing machines) are in to. Not at all true with DKM, thank God!
Although this album is a bit edgier in many respects than Warrior's Code, it maintains an overall tenor that makes the group hard to classify. Are they Punk? Irish? Rock? Heavy Metal? Perhaps one of the joys of this band is that they refuse to be put in a box for easy marketing. And, therefore - in my humble opinion - retain an appeal that strikes the fancy of many types of audiences. Their live shows are a great example of this broad spectrum of appeal. All of which makes landing at # 20 on the Billboard Top 200 list that much more remarkable. Let's hope they can continue to retain their originality with each new recording.

Here's the deal with "The Meanest of Times": Fans of Dropkick Murphys' first two albums, the more punk-oriented "Do or Die" and "The Gang's All Here," probably will love this album. Fans of the band's most recent three albums, the more Celtic-oriented "Sing Loud, Sing Proud," "Blackout" and "The Warrior's Code," probably will think it's a step in the wrong direction for the band.

Personally, I think on "The Meanest of Times" Dropkick Murphys finally has found the perfect combination of its punk and Celtic roots. All the Celtic instruments are present, but they're generally played in unison with the guitars instead of by themselves. Also, Al Barr and Ken Casey's gang vocals have never been better than here, especially on the album's blistering first four songs.

Along with Against Me!'s "New Wave," it's looking like "The Meanest of Times" could become one of my favorite punk albums of 2007.

Maybe it was a little too soon for a new album. With the great improvement in Warrior's Code, you need a little time to brew up some new ideas. Not that the CD is horrible to listen to. It's just that they've been on a roll. 1st, the old singer left the band around 1999 which spiced it up a bit. They were a pretty simple Celtic Punk band, nothing great, but decent. Then there was "Sing Loud, Sing Proud" which assaulted you with Bagpipe fueled Punk Rock and some fun little Irish jigs. "Blackout" showed an even bigger improvement, a lot of great drinking songs, ballads, and all out assaults. "Warrior's Code" showed the band to be more mature. There was the song "Green Fields of France" that was actually a very well sung classic Irish Folk cover. There were songs about sports teams, a now classic hit "Shipping Up To Boston" with a fierce bass line and bagpipes, appearing on "The Departed". It was their most well-rounded album yet, a lot of variety and improvement. Now, this is out and it just seems... bleh. It sounds a bit repetitive to me. Not much break-up in the course of the CD. One of the only plus sides is that these songs would probably work over well live.

A Lot of new people are trying out Dropkick Murphys after seeing The Departed and hearing "The State of Massachusetts" on the soundtrack. This is a good solid album to start with. Some of the older fans aren't that crazy about it. I personally think it is the most polished album they have created with a lot of really catchy tracks. If you want extra tracks, itunes is selling an 18 track version of this album. Usually it is the same price, but for some reason they are charging an extra 2 dollars for their deluxe version of the album. Probably best to go listen to the extra tracks to see if they are worth the extra money.

Another rockin' DKM Album. It follows their usual formula: their own music with a couple of traditional Irish songs juiced up.

People who say all their albums are the same don't know what they're talking about and/or aren't paying attention. The Murphys have been my favorite band ever since their first album and I didn't start to feel disappointed until The Warriors Code because they started to sound like they were repeating a formula. That's why I like that they've taken a new direction on this one, or rather a return to the more straightforward late-70's Oi punk of The Gang's All Here. And people who jumped on board with The Warrior's Code after The Departed and Shipping Up To Boston got big who say it's just like that album are wrong because they're new to the game and don't know the difference (don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're here now and god bless you). I like this a lot and I'm sure it'll grow on me more after time the same way that Gang's All Here did.

This CD is just like every other one that DKM has come out with... It is amazing. They change their sound around on various songs, which is refreshing, instead of all hard and loud all the time. They are one of the few bands that can consistently come out with a good record. Just like any other album they have come out with, this is worth the purchase.

I saw these guys live on the 17th in Baltimore. Awesome show. I picked up "The Meanest Of Times" while I was there. It's awesome. It has a good amount of traditional songs on it as well as some really great punk songs. I also agree with the guy who said that this album is reminicsent of Sing Loud, Sing Proud, which is also a great album. A great choice for those who are fans of DKM's earlier sound.

Like most people writing a review of a record right after it comes out I am not particularly objective - These guys rock and I love their music. To me this album seems much more like "The Gangs All Here" and much less like "The Warriors Code". "The Meanest of Times" sounds more straight ahead in your face punk than "The Warriors Code" while still infusing instruments and melodies of Irish music. The DKM have been a band for over 10 years my greatest fear when sticking this CD into the player was that "The Meanest of Times" would be a bunch of radio friendly bubblegum punk (Blink, NOFX and the host of black shirt, red tie bands that claim to be punk) but these guys are sticking to what works: Heavy guitars, bass and drums - on top of that throw in some folk instruments to stir things up. Yes, this is well traveled ground but I for one do not want to see them go in any other direction. This CD is very representative of who and what the Murphy's are and should be and I hope to hear many more just like this!

DKM are turning into a one-trick pony. The Meanest of Times has no difference or distinguishing features from the last album. It's like an extended cut of The Warrior's Code.

Thanks alot DKM. I'm sure all the punk purists who were whining over the last 3 albums will just love you guys now. But for me, I can't help but feel ripped off. You release 2 great songs, The State of Massachusetts and Flannigan's Ball, make me so psyched for a great celtic punk masterpiece, and I get this; a bland punk album with a few songs with any Celtic influence.
The first 3 songs are phoenominal(sp?). Then it goes to some okay DKM punk rock. Okay, not that bad; but I am waiting for a good celtic punk song. They've completely butchered Flannigan's Ball. The guest singers simply sound terrible and ruin the mood of the song. Also, they made ballads sound good before, but they're just boring now. The bagpipes are absent through alot of the album, which made me hope for more use of the tin wistle, but I was let down there too. DKM can do really great punk; The Gang's All Here for example is an awesome album, with hardly any Irish influenced songs. Take It And Run from The Warrior's Code is by far one of my favorite DKM songs. They can do great punk, but they don't do it on The Meanest of Times.
I have to say I was very disappointed. It seems that this album is an answer to all the punk whiners. The great songs are The State of Massachusetts, Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya, God Willing, Loyal To No One, and Famous For Nothing. There are some other songs that are above average.

This album really is the meanest of times for the Dropkick Murphys.

DKM is growing up and it shows in this album. The real question is - Who is DKM now? Are they a hardcore act or are they trying to become more like Flogging Molly?

If they are mellowing, I LIKE IT!!! No question, this album lacks the rawness and pure energy of some of their previous albums, but the leap forward in the folk sound is well worth it.

Where DKM has kept to their roots, things do seem a little tired. Does every song have to be a sing-along? Let's be real - an album can only have 1 true anthem.

DKM is a great live band and we all love singing the tunes. But when they record, it would be nice to hear 1 voice sometimes!!!

At the end of the day, a great record. DKM keeps getting better and I keep listening.

Been a huge fan since I first heard them in '97 and have never been disappointed. This album definitely took the band back to the days of Sing Loud, Sing Proud and even The Gangs All Here! I finally got to catch them in Savannah Georgia last month, (what the hell took so long to come down here?!!), and took a couple of friends of mine who had really only heard The Warrior's Code album. They seemed to enjoy the show but commented on the way out that the band "didn't play enough songs from that album". I was very disheartened to hear someone say such a thing because that means they really missed out on a moving experience. Plus, I had been waiting 10 years to see this band and these guys got to see them a couple of months after first hearing them. I tried to get them into the older albums but they just don't seem to get it. There was even a comment by another "fan" on the way out saying, "Al Barr sucks!" Well what the hell did you pay to come to the show for then? If you wanna see Mike McColgan sing then go see the Street Dogs. Reminded me alot of the straight edge skins that I used to see paying to get into Fugazi shows just so they could flip off Ian Mackaye. Being 37 years old now, I realize that my days of going to punk shows are quickly coming to an end but this was one that I'll always remember and cherish. As for The Meanest of Times, it's a phenomenol album with the fist pumping choruses of hard honest music that they have mastered with each new endeavor. This band has definitely got many years of kickin' arse ahead of them and I thank God that I'm alive to to hear it!! Meanest of Times couldn't have been better!!

I have been a Dropkick Murphy's fan for about 8 years now. After Warriors Code released, I was a little unsure of the direction of the band. I did like Warriors code but it was a move away from "Sing Loud..." However with "The Meanest of Times" the Dropkick Murphy's have found a way the fuse good hard Irish music with punk rock, once again. I have had the privilege to own this CD for over a week and have listened to it probably 100 times already and this is my quick run-down.

"The meanest of Times" quite frankly is a mixture of the Warriors Code and Sing Loud Sing Proud. It has several very up beat song with loud and sing along choruses. They have expanded their music instruments and now fully rely on Spicy for Bag piping. There is no way a fan of DKM could listen to this album and not at least fall in love with in love with one or more songs on this album. The song Flannagan's Ball is an instant classic, with two God's of Irish music singing along. This album, however not my most favorite from DKM, is a great album and is worth buying.

Of course now people can preview the albums online, but bottom line: Buy it, you won't be sorry.

I just got into DKM in the past couple of weeks. My first purchase was The Warrior's Code, which I absolutely love.

I bought The Meanest of Times today and have listened to it repeatedly all afternoon long. For what it's worth, here's what I think of it...

At first blush, it's not as bagpipe-heavy or overtly Celtic-sounding as The Warrior's Code. As the first reviewer noted, there are plenty of big choruses and upbeat songs, but this isn't Warrior's Code Part Two. This is something different.

Whereas Warrior's Code opened with bagpipes-aplenty, Meanest opens with a song called "Famous For Nothing" that features the sound of a school bell and children cheering (a la Alice Cooper's "School's Out"). Then it kicks in big time with a breakneck double-time riff and a huge chorus. It's a breathtaking way to open an album.

"God Willing" (track two) opens slowly with gentle electric guitar strumming before it springs wide open and reveals itself to be a punk rendition of a traditional-sounding Irish hymn ("God willing I'll see you on the other side"). Again, this is a huge chorus that will be killer to see performed live.

"The State of Massachusetts" (track three) is a corker, Irish-sounding all the way. Fist-pumping chorus. Raucous and raw. I love this song.

"Tomorrow's Industry" (track four) is more punk than Celt, not even pretending to sound Irish. It begins with a "One, two, three, four!" and then...slam! It's going full tilt. It's okay, but not my favorite track on the album.

"Echoes On 'A' Street" (track five) is a decent song, but there's not much about it that stands out to me, other than the larger-than-life chorus that a live audience could sink it's teeth into.

"Vices and Virtues" (track six) is another punk rocker. Reminds me of the Sex Pistols or The Clash. Since I prefer Celtic-flavored instruments and themes, I'm not too hip on this track.

"Surrender" (track seven) is a toe-tapper. I love the driving chord progressions. It's quite melodic, despite the shouting vocals. Frankly, this is an air-guitar, dance-around-like-a-nutbag song that is as infectious as any I've ever heard. Love it.

"(F)Lannigan's Ball" (track eight), is another corker with Irish jig written all over it. From the liner notes: "Dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Diedre Drew. On July 2nd, 2007, we flew to Dublin to record the song "(F)Lannigan's Ball" with our good friend Spider from the Pogues and the legend himself, Mr. Ronnie Drew from the Dubliners." It doesn't get any more Irish than this!

"I'll Begin Again" (track nine) is a full-bore punk rocker with bashing guitars and a rapid-speak chorus that runs all the words together "I'llbeginagain...I'llbeginagain...."

"Fairmount Hill" (track ten) reigns in the bashing and opens with acoustic guitar and an Irish melody straight from the Emerald Isle. In fact, quite literally. From the liner notes: "A Boston take on the traditional tune 'Spancil Hill'." "Fairmount" becomes a mid-tempo song that's more ballad than basher. A great song.

"Loyal To No One" (track eleven) is dedicated to "a miserable bast**d [who] will suffer on alone to the bitter end rather than admit they were wrong." The lyrics are, of course, spit out in anger, each word dripping with sarcasm.

"Shattered" (track twelve). Pure punk angst. Not much Celtic about this track. It's just aggression and a pin prick in the side of those who pretend to be something they're not. ""Shattered, shattered, when people aren't always what they seem..."

"Rude Awakenings" (track thirteen), a song about the ravages of love, is a return to a Celtic sound: Bagpipes and a rousing chorus...then another "One, two, three, four!" and the song picks up the pace, and cranks up the bitterness level: "I thought it was all just a nightmare, I guess it was true...but now I'm left with a daily reminder of you." The perfect song for drunken, jilted lovers.

"Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya" (track fourteen) is based on "When Johnny Comes Marching Home." Rousing, but typically melancholy. [CORRECTION: I wasn't aware that the song most often associated with America's Civil War was based on a song called "Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya." That's the kind of stuff I love to know. Thanks, Felix!]

"Never Forget" (track fifteen)...ahhh, the bagpipes are back. I love it when DKM sets the tone of a song by beginning it with bagpipes, then kicking in with guitar and a big-a** chorus. "Never Forget" is "a song about what's really important when it's all said and done." This is a great song and the perfect way to end the album. DKM has life figured out, man: "When you got love and we got family, keep 'em close and don't forget, to hold them right there in your heart, when you got love and family."

Overall, I think The Meanest of Times will be a solid album for DKM -- especially if you dig their more aggressive punk-rock songs. I don't think it breaks any new ground, and it's not as good as The Warrior's Code to my ears, but it's great music from start to finish -- all of which ought to cause any fan to say, "Glory be!" in concert.