Loyola Greyhound

Issue date: 3/18/08 Section: Arts & Society

Media Credit: teppo.tv To celebrate the release of their new album, "Float," the band performed an acoustic set.

Just in time for the St. Patrick's Day season, Flogging Molly has released their fourth full length album. Keeping in their Irish folk/punk sound, "Float" fits in well to the Flogging Molly collection. To celebrate the release of the new album, they held a free "acoustic" performance of the albums stand out tracks at Virgin megastore in Union Square NYC.

Apparently "acoustic" in Flogging Molly terms simply means that the drummer has a few less drums and everything else is the same. While most of the musicians came in early to set up equipment and meet fans, Dave King stumbled in looking as if he just woke up. Dave, to many of his fans' surprise, was the lead singer in two heavy metal bands, Fastway and Katmandu, in the 80s. Although fans don't see this rock side of him often, the moment of seeing him wander in, with what looked like pajamas to his own record release show, was pretty rock and roll.

However, this is not to put down the extreme heart that this band has. After over 10 years of playing in a seven-piece band, Flogging still has all of its original members whom fiercely play every song out as if it were there last dying wish. While some may struggle to look past Flogging as drinking song band, true fans can see the deeper side of Flogging, especially on this new effort.

Stand out tracks on the album include "Requiem for a Dying Song," "Float," and "(No More) Paddy's Lament," all of which were played at the show. You may recall the first two of these tracks from the online only release of the "Complete Control Sessions" a year ago. You may also recall the track "Between a Man and a Woman" from their first release, a live album, titled "Alive Behind the Green Door." While it is nice to hear this song mastered, it most definitely feels like the filler song on the album.

While I dare to say that Flogging's sound has matured, do not mistake this change as to say that they are not fun anymore. When most bands mature they take down the tempo and turn down the distortion, Flogging keeps their fists clenched, fingers blistered, and vocal chords strained. However, the sound has most certainly been tweaked to show how the musicians have progressed. King said that a big difference in this album was that it was the first he wrote in Ireland. Upon returning after so many years he instantly could see the differences. While some reviewers have said they have gone closer to their Irish folk roots, and away from the LA punk style, check out the fast drum tempo and Oy-punk like chants of "You Wont Make a Fool Out of Me" for a swift negation of that idea.

After the six-song mini-show at Virgin it seemed like the general vibe from the crowd was the same as my later reaction to listening to the album: while it was powerful, melodic, and catchy, I wanted a few more songs. With only 11 tracks, three of which fans have already heard, there leaves a bit to be desired. However, to the credit of the band, every song they played from the new album felt right as if it were already a Flogging Molly staple tune.

So, grab yourself a pint of your favorite stout and take a listen to Float at Flogging Molly's MySpace, or check out my footage from the record release show at youtube.com/timsdocu.

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