Dropkick Murphys
"Warriors Code"
Epitaph Records


The Dropkick Murphys are back once again giving us their best and possibly the best Irish folk/punk sound this side of the Atlantic. During their course as a band, they went from being a hardcore and punk band to a straight forward folk and punk band, almost seamlessly. "Warriors Code" is the perfect follow up to a very solid last release "Blackout."

Clean production, good songwriting and experimental songs make this album so good. They touch on all the types of music really well. You've got songs that are more Irish folk like the cover song "Green Fields of France." Then a more punk feel in the title track. A little bit of both folk and hardcore in the anthem like "I'm Shipping up to Boston." And finally a more hardcore song in "Citizen CIA." And that's what makes the Dropkicks so good, they can do all sorts of styles and make the album flow from one track to another.

My favorite track is "Green Fields of France" even though it's a cover. The band go acoustic for the track and it sounds really good. Almost makes one wonder if the Dropkicks would ever entertain the idea of doing an all acoustic record. I think Al Barr shows that he does in fact have a more traditional singing voice by doing this song. It was kind of unexpected during the first listen, but after that, the listener really warms up to this song. It should be a new staple to their live set in the future.

The cover art is also something that signifies the Dropkicks in a proper way. It shows a boxer just laying into his opponent. The production on this record is also very good. They have always sounded really good recorded anyway, but with them changing their styles over time, they sound as good as ever.

In my opinion this was a perfect follow up to "Blackout." I for one have embraced the transition the band has done with their material, and can't wait to see where they go from here. If you've never seen this band live, I strongly suggest checking them out. It might be some of the most fun you'll have a show.


Reviewed by: Chris Buehler
Reviewed on: June 20, 2005