review by: Laurent Martini

As the needle drove deeper into his vein, he slipped further and further away. And by doing so music lost one of its strongest voices. When Shane MacGowan left the Pogues an irreplaceable void was left. MacGowan is now reduced to singing bad covers of his old hits and the Pogues slowly flickered out. Thankfully there is always a second coming. Drunken Lullabies, Flogging Molly's sophomore album (or third if you count their self-produced Alive Behind the Green Door) proves that they are no fluke.

Starting where their debut, Swagger, left off, the album is a mix of old and new songs played with such sincerity and energy there leaves no doubt that Flogging Molly is a worthy successor to the Pogues. From the political "Rebels of the Sacred Heart," to the irony of "If I Ever Leave this World Alive," to the ballad "Death Valley Queen," to the Poguesish "Another Bag of Bricks," these songs will make you want to dance, cry out 26+6=1 and grab your closest mate and embrace.

Another of the band's strengths comes from its array of personalities. Singer Dave King can turn a simple phrase into something wrought with wit and meaning, bassist Nathen Maxwell looks and plays like he should be with the Sex Pistols, mandolin and banjo player Bob Schmidt (the male heartthrob) is brit-pop cool in his suit, and fiddle player Bridget Regan (the female heartthrob) can make her instrument sound louder and stronger than any amplified guitar. Not forgetting Hensley on accordion, Schwindt on drums and Casey on guitar they are a motley looking crew when you seen them but they play and speak as one loud voice. And that voice is one of the best ones in music today.

Under appreciated because of lack of radio or TV play, don't let this band pass you by.