Manchester Punk Festival Releases 38th Compilation
Manchester Punk Festival have released the 38th volume of their compilation series ahead of this year’s festival. Manchester Punk Festival Vol. 38 is…
Back To The World - Brass Tracks Records
Although their debut album Savin Hill didn’t receive tons of media and press coverage, it was very successful in getting a foot in the punk scene. It was able to secure The Street Dogs a bunch of solid tours dates and create an ever growing fan base. I was one of those fans – so when I heard about their new album Back To The World, I was excited. And after listening to the twelve tracks its quite obvious that there are some changes from their debut, but it still does not disappoint in any shape or form.
You still get Mike McColgan’s signature vocals singing about serious issues like unions and worker’s songs while still knowing how to have fun with songs like Drink Tonight – the fast hitting, minute long shouter punk song about drinking like crazy. All of which bring up visions of Dropkick Murphys minus the bagpipes (which make sense considering McClogan’s was the original singer for the Boston band back in the day). And although you still get a song style very similar to the Murphys but with a bit more of a street punk twist to it. There are amazing sing along anthems and catchy guitars riffs, all of which add up to make the songs a bit more accessible.
Most of the songs have a very distinct sound compared to the others on the album, like the very catchy single of You Alone that gets you shouting along with the chorus instantly to the more Irish-influenced songTale Of Mass Deception which is topped off with the addition of the accordion. Following that they have the heavy hitting Drink Tonight followed by the slower Stagger. Although the standout track must be the closer – Unions And the Law. The semi-acoustic song finishes the album perfectly and you can’t help but reply it over and over again.
Back To The World is a good follow up to Savin Hill, and it proves that Mike McColgan still knows how to create great punk songs. The Street Dogs will be a name heard quite often in the future and any fan of the Dropkick Murphys will most likely love this album.