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Dropkick Murphys

Singles Collection Volume 2
2005
Hellcat

Dropkick Murphys - Singles Collection Volume 2 (Cover Artwork)

Review by: KirbyPuckett
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Published on August 12th 2005

Ahh, the B-sides & rarities compilation; while they often appear as an attempt to pull away from a record contract, they are more commonly presented after the band has separated. A last chance for fans to hear something from their favorite bands and/or a kick in the face to those diehards who browse through each jewel case and dusty vinyl sleeve looking for that last hard-to-find song. The scenario is slightly different for Boston’s Dropkick Murphys. The group, who firmly stands up for the working class, certainly instills that passion towards their music. These 23 songs, which form their second Singles Collection in five years, were recorded between 1998 and 2004 are the perfect example of a band who labors unmercifully.

This time around, the Murphys decided to emphasize on their covers anthology. Renditions ranging the extensive spectrum of rock music with classics like AC/DC ("It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)") and CCR ("Fortunate Son") all the way down the ladder to the bands that influenced them directly like Stiff Little Fingers ("Nobody’s Hero") and the Misfits ("Halloween"). In addition to a slamming cover of Motörhead’s “Rock‘n'Roll” that features Dicky Barrett of the Mighty Might Bosstones taken from the tribute, Dropkick put forth credible versions of “Watch Your Back” and “Working” originally recorded by Cocksparrer. Ripped from the Tessie EP is the Boston Bruins' theme song “The Nut Rocker (Nutty)” -- the upbeat bagpipes and slick guitar jingle will amp up any hockey fan for the upcoming season.

The compilation is not without originals though; the hardcore “On the Attack” from the 7” single Curse Of A Fallen Soul is one of the hardest songs the DMs have laid down. From the group’s split with the Business is their collaboration “Mob Mentality.” Tightly concluding the assemblage is the Blackout B-side that also appeared on Rock Against Bush Vol. 2: “We Got the Power,” a union support number held up by a guitar hook that takes their homage to CCR and mixes it seamlessly with their Cocksparrer influence.

Aside from “Pipedown On Lansdowne (Dance Remix)” the collection flows quite nicely as if it were a full-length record, despite the wide range of music being covered. With the recent release of The Warrior's Code the Dropkick Murphys show no signs of slowing down and I would not be surprised if down the line another singles collection lands on my desk for review.

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at 4:32 PM (EDT)
My Score:

I can tell you why the Pipebomb dance remix disrupts the album:

"It's Friday night and the street's filled with freaks, come watch as the useless flock to the beat
Of the techno noise that enhances their high, a bombs gonna blow and I think you know why!"

Yeah. The lyrics. The remix makes a mockery of what the song was about, and that takes the band a notch down in my book.

Score's for a guy in a Ducky Boys tshirt who sang "On The Attack" a year and a half ago at a Dropkick Show.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 10, 2005 at 11:20 PM (EDT)
My Score:

The dance remix is fuckin hillarious! I don't know how it "disrupts" the flow of the album. Perhaps you need to get your head out of your ass as not to disrupt the flow of your shit!

Posted by gladimnotemo on 2005-08-15 19:48:55
My Score:

I got this for 6 bucks today. If the "Back to the Pub" 7" that two of these appear on is any indication, it is going to be ass-kicking.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 15, 2005 at 3:35 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Kick ass shit.

The gang green cover (alcohol) made it worth owning. Pretty much all of the covers are great. The guy's voice kind of makes it hard to listen to from start to beginning, but overall it's an improvement from the last one.

I wouldn't say that the motorhead cover is an imitation. At least not compared to the cocksparrer ones, or the sham 69 one.

Regardless, I recommend.

Posted by LittleWhiteGod on 2005-08-14 21:47:52

Somebody heard some news about the recent Murphy's dates in Canada?
I hope they'll tour the entire country.

Oi Oi Oi

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 14, 2005 at 7:26 AM (EDT)
My Score:

I haven't heard the CD but thought I would score it 3 just so I can look like I'm down and know what's going on when really I haven't got a clue and should just take my worthless opinion elsewhere.

You know who you are.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 13, 2005 at 3:07 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Last time I checked, saying 'I'm going to shoot them all in the balls' wasn't hilarious unless you're like 11 years old.

Score is for dance remix.

Posted by Bastardzach on 2005-08-13 14:43:57
My Score:

Great Collection of DKM songs that are hard to obtain. A good place to start for those who like DKM, but not a diehard fan. The dance version of "Pipebomb on Landsdowe" is hillarious. The Misfit's cover is decent. The Motorhead cover is also good, but it sounds too much like an impersonation. The Sham 69 cover is good too. Overall, this is a good release. Before you pick this one up, pick up Vol. 1..... it is an overrall a better representation of the band and includes more well known songs for the casual fan.

Posted by Jet on 2005-08-13 13:34:19

Is the Dicky Barrett song good, or are we talking on the lines of that Rancid song from Life Won't Wait?

Posted by BlAquaCadetZstyles on 2005-08-13 12:06:00

That dance remix sounds hilarious. Time to fire up SLSK.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 13, 2005 at 11:10 AM (EDT)

I have lots of love for Boston..I used to have lots of love for dropkick..no more. GO SOX!

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 13, 2005 at 8:07 AM (EDT)

(dance remix) read this song is going to be a horrible remix

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 12, 2005 at 10:35 PM (EDT)

I think the dance remix of Pipebomb is not only hands down the shittiest DKM song ever, but one of the worst songs in the world.

It's a shame because the original was awesome, and when I heard the beginning of it I thought it might be a cool sorta changed up version, but then the singing and the god awful lame lyrics come in. I'll stick to the original thank you very much.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 12, 2005 at 6:24 PM (EDT)

heh...Cocksparrer influence...

Posted by cdogg on 2005-08-12 16:40:58
My Score:

I like this disc better than "The Warrior's Code." Nobody does Oi-flavored street punk better than DKM - even if most of the songs are covers. Plus the "Pipebomb on Landsdowne" remix is hilarious.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 12, 2005 at 3:48 PM (EDT)

THE DKM Singles collection Vol II very good, however go check out the new TEMPLARS release on GMM "OUTREMER", now thats a great Oi! Street punk record.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 12, 2005 at 12:39 PM (EDT)

cursive blows! dkm rock!

Posted by Archangel on 2005-08-12 12:16:52

The Dropkick Murphys scored higher than Cursive? What the hell?

Posted by inagreendase on 2005-08-12 09:43:10

hey Brian or Adam, i thought there was gonna be a Grabass Charlestons review today? i'm so distraught now.

That's what I told everyone before I realized it was a Grabass review for whatever they put out in '03.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 12, 2005 at 8:55 AM (EDT)

I like how the reviewer comments that he has "a desk". C'mon, we all know your desk is a copy of Maxim that you set on your lap as you scribble down sub-par reviews while watching Reno 911 and kicking your mom's horny Daschshund off your leg. That, by no means, is a desk!

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 12, 2005 at 8:52 AM (EDT)
My Score:

This singles collection is great. The new disc is about 3.5 stars, but I liked their "Blackout" better. "The Dirty Glass" is an awesome tune!

Posted by CrookedSuperhero on 2005-08-12 07:56:03
My Score:

The new album is fantastic.

Posted by AlmostPunkEnough on 2005-08-12 05:35:17
My Score:

a lot of good stuff on here. hopefully they'll put on another great show at warped on saturday.

hey Brian or Adam, i thought there was gonna be a Grabass Charlestons review today? i'm so distraught now.

Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2005-08-12 03:42:39

Eh, shut it you.

I think this might be my favorite Murphys release along with The Gang's All Here. I like them best when they're flat out rocking, and that's what they do on the majority of this. Awesome.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 12, 2005 at 2:10 AM (EDT)

booooo to these nationalists. boston sucks too.