Flogging Molly: Speed of Darkness (2011)

After 4 studio albums and building up a rabid fanbase through their undeniably awesome live shows, Flogging Molly find themselves in a slightly precarious position with Speed of Darkness. The band has thus far stayed true to their celtic folk-punk sound with only minor variations but at some point as artists they're bound to want to change it up a little. That's a tough thing for some longtime fans to accept and it's safe to assume that some people will cry foul that this isn't the Flogging Molly they fell in love with. Realistically, any band with a vocalist as distinctive as Dave King is probably going to sound like themselves no matter what but songs like the lead single "Don't Shut 'Em Down," "The Power's Off" and "Oliver Boy (All of our Boys)" owe as much to 90's alternative rock as the bands traditional influences. There are also some genuinely beautiful ballads in the acoustic "So Sail On" and the somber piano based "The Cradle of Humankind." The band hasn't totally abandoned full blown celtic punk either as the title track and "Saints and Sinners" both fly by with energy to spare. Flogging Molly also manage to fit in a sea shanty ("The Heart of the Sea") and a slew of mid tempo folk sing-a-long's ("This Present State of Grace," So Sail On," "Rise Up") in for good measure. Lyrically King is inspired by the economic meltdown and specifically the situation in Detroit along with his usual ruminations of love, life and religion. Speed of Darkness is a solid transitional album for Flogging Molly and even more importantly a reason to tour. A few more rockers would have been welcome there's little to fault here except for the most hardcore of close minded fans.

Rating: 3.5

Track Listing:

1. "Speed of Darkness" (4:08)
2. "Revolution" (3:08)
3. "The Heart of the Sea" (3:42)
4. "Don't Shut 'Em Down" (3:40)
5. "The Power's Out" (4:39)
6. "So Sail On" (2:47)
7. "Saint's and Sinners" (3:32)
8. "This Present State of Grace" (2:47)
9. "The Cradle of Humankind" (5:11)
10. "Oliver Boy (All Of Our Boys)" (4:06)
11. "A Prayer For Me In Silence" (1:54)
12. "Rise Up" (3:32)