The Song: "Black Friday Rule"
The Artist: Flogging Molly
The Album: Swagger
"Celtic punk" is one of those musical combinations that should be horrendous, but somehow works brilliantly. Maybe because the music of Ireland, even when gentle or beautiful, has always possessed a strong sense of rebellion and freedom, much like punk rock. The Pogues are the standard bearers for celtic music with punk attitude, while The Dropkick Murphys play punk rock with a strong sense of their Irish heritage. Flogging Molly has always tread the line in-between the two, and "Black Friday Rule" is their ultimate anthem about belonging to two different tribes.
At 7 minutes and one second, it is unusually long for a punk song, but not excessively so. Still, on the extended live version released on the Whiskey on a Sunday album, lead singer Dave King quips once finished, "I don't know about you bastards, but I grew about five years fucking older during that song." The song works so well at its length because it allows the band to explore their entire sound, from punk fury to celtic beauty and back again.
The entire song feels like a journey, which fits the lyrics so well. The song speaks of a mournful departure from native Ireland to strange California, in search of oppurtunities and jobs no longer available "in the old free state." Flogging Molly covers many classic Irish tunes, and though original, Black Friday Rule feels like it belongs with those great songs. The theme of departure and stubborn survival are universal while the sound could inspire a teetotaler to raise a pint of lager.
Download the song from iTunes:
1 comment:
My husband LOVES Celtic rock. Seriously. Flogging Molly is one of his favorite bands. Me? Not so much.
Post a Comment