FLOGGING MOLLY...a band that is known to almost everyone.
The Folk-Punk band has been around since 1997. That's a solid 25 years.
FLOGGING MOLLY was formed during a time when many well-known and now lesser-known Folk-Punk bands emerged. Among the most famous are The Real McKenzies and Dropkick Murphys, to name just two.
This mix of more or less punk rock with folk elements was really the hot thing many years ago. Today it is still... No, of course not. The bands that are still around are well-known beyond the boundaries of the scene for a reason. FLOGGING MOLLY is one of them.
The band has always placed a strong focus on folk music in the past. There have always been very strong songs played acoustically with traditional instruments, creating a unique aura, especially live. The voice of singer and mastermind Dave King adds to that.
Now “Anthem” has been released (translated: Hymn or Song of Praise), five years after the last album. Five years in which so much has happened. I don't even want to mention the pandemic here, but also, for example, the terrible war between Ukraine and Russia.
Eleven songs made it onto the album. Are they eleven anthemic songs?
It starts with “These Times have got me drinking (Tripping up the Stairs)”, a title that doesn't exactly set a positive tone. Drinking is always good and healthy, it just depends on what and, overall, the dose makes the poison. The song has a strong folk influence and is noteworthy. Not quite punk, not classic folk, but something in between with the unmistakable touch of FLOGGING MOLLY.
This continues until song number 6. Song 6 “This Road of Mine” is a real punk rock song that was almost eagerly anticipated, although it should be noted that “A Song of Liberty” is also very captivating with a solid punk rock vibe and a nice video to boot.
The album as a complete work presents itself to me with an unexpectedly strong influence of Irish folk. It is consistently enjoyable to listen to, and since FLOGGING MOLLY are old school, they have created a beautiful digipack along with a great booklet that includes all the lyrics, with half-portrait photos of the band members. Just like most booklets used to be in the past and are now a rarity.
Perhaps this album is something different than one might expect, perhaps I am alone in this opinion. The fact is, the band shows with this album what they were and what they are. A band that perfectly knows how to blend Irish folk with punk rock and melodies, yes anthems. A band that has made history and, despite their 25 years, sounds not a bit old. FLOGGING MOLLY remains an institution, and live, many of the songs from “Anthem” are guaranteed to give you goosebumps.
The album comes at the right time. It gets dark outside earlier and it gets colder. What could be better than sitting in a pub with friends, listening to FLOGGING MOLLY, and having a good time with good beer and even better Irish whiskey?
