Fun and chaos from the mad Irishmen (and woman)
Singer, Dave King, has said that Flogging Molly are really a live band and the sleeve notes for the CD reiterate this; 'We, as a band, never felt quite at home in the studio. There was always something missing.' That something was clearly playing to an audience, and so at last they've presented us with a live CD. It may not quite be the real thing but damn it's good. Given that they're Irish, these guys know how to party and this record sure as hell reinforces that view. 'Alive Behind the Green Door' is so much fun that it couldn't be muzak even if it tried.
Any ideas given by the quiet opening of 'Swagger' are soon completely dispelled as it leads into a raucous and upbeat tune which indeed sounds as live as it gets. This is Irish folk punk rock and comes complete with its own scenes of chaos and party time that most Flogging Molly gigs come with. It doesn't stop there, and while the vocals get fairly swallowed up on 'Every Dog Has Its Day', it's amazing just how natural the combination of the two seemingly disparate styles is.
Well, it sounds good until they start straying into blues territory, just with a fiddle and Irish vocals. After some inexplicable banter ("I hope it was worth the wait"), 'Never Met a Girl Like You Before' could be right at home in the American Midwest. King seems entirely at ease as he chats happily to the crowd before 'Laura' launches back into punk rock Irish folk and the crowd starts singing along. This is an impassioned performance and it shows. 'If I Ever Leave This World Alive' is about as Irish folk-like as you're going to get, but it doesn't last long. 'Black Friday Rule' is one of the best songs of the set, even if it does end up rather bluesy sometimes with a virtuoso guitar solo to put the masters to shame. It's a bit messy but it doesn't matter, it's all part of the charm.
It has to be said that the highlight of the set comes right at the end with a fine and rousing rendition of crowd favourite 'Delilah' (and yes, that is the Tom Jones song). Or more accurately, it's Delilah-cum-That's All Right punk rock stylee with mad Irish vocals that wouldn't be out of place in a pub in Ireland itself (the recording is of a gig in LA). Naturally it goes down a storm, and really sums up the whole album; one full of fun and good times, and well worth the money you'll pay for it.