The Album: Despite the opening number, “Speed of Darkness,” sounding more than a little like ‘Swagger’s’ “Devil’s Dance Floor,” it’s a solid way to open the album both musically (it’s not necessarily a bad thing to be influenced by yourself, though it can get repetitive) and lyrically (“my cup will be empty because you’ll never steal my youth”) doing what a Molly record should do, get you pumped.

Heck, I’d recommend a live show of theirs over any of them… Still, ‘Float’ is worth a listen, even if I’d recommend their first three LPs over it. No, it was the fact on ‘Float’ I thought the lyrics came across more forced rather than felt, and musically the album seemed to be, while amidst the band being tighter, rehash of stuff I had heard before. However, on those first records, it was the deeper material I was attracted to over those drinking songs. Some claimed I was being selfish thinking they shouldn’t grow up or grow as a group and leave behind their crazy drinking songs. I wouldn’t call it bad, but I didn’t think it was up to par with their other work. In 2008, after an EP, a divorce for King (who then later married band member Bridget Regan) and a band documentary (the solid ‘Whiskey on a Sunday’) followed up their first three studio albums the band released ‘Float,’ which didn’t float my boat. Their first three records were all extremely well crafted, most notably 2002’s ‘Drunken Lullabies’ and 2004’s ‘Within a Mile of Home.’ However, the interesting dynamic is the difference between these studio recordings and their raucous, truly one of a kind live shows, which are rather highlighted in the double-CD set ‘Live at the Greek Theatre,’ which was released last year. Starting out as a literal bar band playing more often than not Molly Malone’s (hence the name of the band) they ultimately put out a live album in 1997 entitled ‘Alive Behind the Green Door’ and found themselves releasing records on SideOneDummy by the time the new millennium was underway. Later in the 90’s, after turning down a gig to sing for the Jeff Beck group, Flogging Molly was formed and found itself doing an eclectic mix of punk rock and traditional irish/country/bluegrass/folk music which became a perfect, however unlikely, mixture for King’s rather poetic lyrical gifts.

Dublin born singer/songwriter Dave King would leave his homeland of Ireland (his “exiling” from Ireland and separation from home a theme he continually goes back to lyrically) found himself a lead-singer for a heavy metal band, Fastway, for a number of years before forming Katmandu who didn’t last nearly as long. History Class: You can’t classify Flogging Molly as anything less than a bar band rags to riches story. In this present state of grace I offer thee…

To each their own, we’re just flesh and bone, Though I offered him the cash, he said “Don’t insult my pride,” In this present stage of grace a poor man robbed me blind, Release of the Week 5.31.11: Flogging Molly, ‘Speed of Darkness’ Nothing masterful, but a boatload of solid 3.5 star releases abound… While it’s disappointing to come back and find your writing for a place shilling it’s stuff on twitter, it is nice to come back after having to deal with last week and hearing over and over again of people shelling out money for a terrible album, to find this week is filled with a nice variety of solid music released. It was my second year showcasing films at the conven tion, and I hope to be back in ’12. In a convention center filled with all things pop culture and cosplay girls all around, it was a good time was had by all indeed. Which mainly means not having to stand in any lines. I was busy at the Phoenix Comicon, no not having anything to do with music, but showcasing some of my short films and enjoying all the perks that come with a “Professional Guest” pass. Hopefully you enjoyed your holiday weekend. Beautiful Melodies telling you Terrible Things: New Tune Tuesday 5.31.11

Drunken lullabies brave disney