Going Out In Style

『Going Out in Style』は、アメリカ・ボストン出身のケルティック・パンク・バンドDropkick Murphysが2011年にリリースした7作目のスタジオ・アルバムである。

架空の人物Cornelius Larkinの人生を描いたコンセプト・アルバムで、移民の歴史や家族、友情、故郷への愛、そして人生の終焉をテーマに、Dropkick Murphysらしい力強いパンク・サウンドとアイリッシュ・トラッドを融合させている。

タイトル曲「Going Out in Style」をはじめ、「Memorial Day」「Sunday Hardcore Matinee」「The Irish Rover」などを収録。Bruce Springsteenがゲスト参加した「Peg O' My Heart」も話題を集めた。

エネルギッシュなパンク・ナンバーから情感豊かなフォーク・ソングまでを収めた本作は、ストーリー性と音楽性を高い次元で融合させた、Dropkick Murphysの代表作の一つとして高く評価されている。

デジスリーブ 1CD仕様

While pop/rock's pantheon of concept characters is topped by incredible and outlandish characters like Ziggy Stardust and Tommy, the truth is that Cornelius Larkin -- war veteran, working-class hero, and the fictional centerpiece of Dropkick Murphys' seventh studio album, Going Out in Style -- would likely outfight and outdrink them. A concept album, the record tells the story of the life, love, and death of a rough-and-tumble Irish immigrant, even going so far as to include an obituary in the liner notes. Musically, the album doesn’t stray far from the sound the band has developed over the years, which definitely isn’t a bad thing. With their fusion of Celtic and punk, Dropkick Murphys have set themselves far enough apart from the bulk of punk rock that changing anything would feel disingenuous. Instead, the band freshens things up with the bold (and rare) choice of making a punk rock concept album. This narrative element really works for Dropkick Murphys, adding another layer of thematic unity that complements their sonic vision wonderfully. Going Out in Style also finds the band pulling out all the stops with a handful of guests lending their vocals to the band's freewheeling anthems. Comedian and Rescue Me cast member Lenny Clarke drops in on “Going Out in Style” along with NOFX’s Fat Mike and the Living End’s Chris Cheney. The most surprising guest, however, arrives on “Peg o’ My Heart,” where the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen, shows up to deliver a verse. With its combination of driving Celtic punk and strong narrative, Going Out in Style finds Dropkick Murphys succeeding on multiple levels, delivering an album that’s not only fun to pump your fists and sing along to, but also one that rewards repeated listens with its storytelling, making it an album that’s just as fun through headphones as it is when played at maximum volume in the car. ~ Gregory Heaney

アイリッシュ・パンクの代表格から3年ぶりの新作が到着。誰でもシンガロングできちゃうキャッチーなメロディーとバンジョーやバグパイプが奏でる祝祭感たっぷりのサウンドに拳が上がりっぱなしなのはお約束として、ゲスト参加したアイルランド系の血も引くブルース・スプリングスティーンの、ドスの効いた歌唱がずっぱまりで驚いたの何のって！ バンドの昂揚っぷりも最高潮ゆえ、ビールと湿布を忘れずに！！
bounce (C)岡本大輔