Flogging Molly -- Drunken Lullabies

7/10 as reviewed by 31 year-old The Nicsperiment

9/10 as reviewed by 40-year-old The Nicsperiment

*NOTE: Nine years after my initial 2013 review, I've revisited this album and found that 40-year-old me likes this album quite a bit more. So much that I've decided to post a second review, this time from 2022, in Courier font after the original 2013 one.

The spark that lit Flogging Molly's debut album is a little dimmer on their second. Maybe it's the law of diminishing returns, or maybe its just the more workmanlike nature of the album. The band seem to blow through most of Drunken Lullabies' twelve tracks without taking a breath, as if the devil is at their heels. Following Swagger, an album full of fun songs about sailing the seven seas, this sophomore LP's best song calls the ocean a "Cruel Mistress."

Indeed, Drunken Lullabies has a darker edge than its older brother, taking a more bitter, cynical look at life and seldom slowing down. That's not to say Drunken Lullabies isn't a blast in places, but the fun-factor is admittedly less. It's still a solid album, though--the second half, particularly, introduces more variety and deeper emotions. The lilting finale, "The Son Never Shines (On Closed Doors)," leaves the listener hungry for more music, as vocalist, Dave King, gently repeats the line "We all go the same way home." Indeed.
Indeed.
Indeed.
Indeed.
Sorry, I got caught in a loop there for a second.

2022 Redo Review   

Dave King and his Celtic punk band, Flogging Molly, return with 2002's Drunken Lullabies, a stellar album on par with their previous release, 2000's Swagger. Drunken Lullabies features twelve tracks of unflagging energy, with each of the band's many musicians skillfully blasting along at full tilt, slowing down only for select, emotive moments that increase Drunken Lullabies musical diversity. While the fun and raucous vibe of Swagger returns, King injects some wistfulness into this album only hinted at by Swagger. This comes through clearly in King's lyrics and vocal performance, as on several songs he yearnfully sings about his mother and the city of Dublin, Ireland he couldn't return to for nearly eight years of his life. This perfect balance of wild, drunken energy and more melancholy thoughtfulness gives Drunken Lullabies great staying power and resonance, as here I am reviewing it for the second time in the 20 years since it's been released. Also, that George Schwindt can play the drums. Maybe in nine years I'll come back and review this for the third time.


2002 SideOneDummy
1. Drunken Lullabies 3:50
2. What's Left of the Flag 3:39
3. May the Living Be Dead (In Our Wake) 3:50
4. If I Ever Leave This World Alive 3:21
5. The Kilburn High Road 3:43
6. Rebels of the Sacred Heart 5:11
7. Swagger 2:05
8. Cruel Mistress 2:57
9. Death Valley Queen 4:18
10. Another Bag of Bricks 3:45
11. The Rare Ould Times 4:06
12. The Son Never Shines (On Closed Doors) 4:24