Flogging Molly – Live At The Greek Theatre

I’ve always enjoyed Flogging Molly more in spirit than in practice.  I fully acknowledge them as the current masters of the Celtic punk circuit, but they’ve always been more of a distraction for me than a main event, than say The Dropkick Murphys.  It’s a purely stylistic preference; with me personally getting a little more enjoyment out of the working class feel of the Boston scene than Flogging Molly’s more traditional, “homeland” sentiments.  That being said, after listening to Flogging Molly’s live performance as captured on Live At The Greek Theatre, I’ll now be checking my local concert listings for the next time they roll on through.

Live At The Greek Theatre is hands-down the most fun I’ve had with the band to date.  Imagine the entire band’s best, most lively and engaging songs over the last ten years plucked from their discography and lovingly arranged on a greatest hits album.  Now imagine those songs brought to life through the fury of a live show, complete with audience interaction, informative anecdotes, and a little of that roughness that some of their more recent recordings have been lacking.

The band opens their set with the now classic “The Likes Of You Again,” which features just enough introductory down time for a quick nod to their Los Angeles venue, and a brief bit of the playful banter that punctuates every few tracks.  Their seminal track “Swagger” follows suit, effortlessly finding the audience singing along in chorus and verse – and no doubt dancing a hearty jig in the process.  In fact, it’s hard to not want to get up and move when the band brings any of these songs to life.  “Man With No Country” in particular stands out as a more recent live track (found on 2008’s Float) destined to rank in as a top live request.  As the first disc runs its course there’s plenty of room for speak of Irish hardships and celebration.  The second disc opens with the historically grounded “Tobacco Island,” for which the band wastes no time slamming puritan leader Oliver Cromwell’s near genocidal treatment of the Irish during his brief reign in the 17th century.  The album keeps up this pace throughout, and finally comes to and end after a three song encore that tactfully winds things down with the solo lament “The Wrong Company” and quiet gem “The Story So Far,” before closing out with an energetic farewell and sincere thank you in “The Seven Deadly Sins.”

Live At The Greek Theatre is a great listen and true testament to Flogging Molly’s growing popularity over the past decade.  The worst that can be said is that the band sticks very close to their source material, not really taking any chances or experimenting with mediums.  I recall seeing a Bad Religion concert a couple years back in which front man Greg Graffin turned in his electric guitar and went solo and unplugged for a few tracks.  It was unexpected and something unique to the live setting.  There’s nothing quite like that here, but as far as I’m concerned, that’s just fine.  With Live At The Greek TheatreFlogging Molly holds their own and thrives on the strength of their existing musicianship.  And for me, the recording even turned the band from a supporting thought, to a main event.  Without question Live At The Greek Theatre is a great and lively summation of Flogging Molly’s career to date, serving as an easy recommendation for newcomers and long time fans alike.