The Dropkick Murphys- The Warriors Code

Written by Evan Barden
Thursday, 22 September 2005

MUSIC REVIEWS: The Dropkick Murphys: The Warriors Code Released June 21, 2005, the Dropkick Murphys return with their 5th full length studio album. As with their last release, Blackout, the Murphys' sound is becoming more and more infiltrated with the sounds of good ole rock and roll. But don’t get the wrong idea, the Murphys aren’t getting soft, they’re just becoming more comfortable in their place as the best Irish punk band this side of anywhere (sorry Flogging Molly fans). As with any Dropkicks album, The Warriors Code touches on various subjects, induces barrooms of sing-a-longs, and makes the bagpipes a kick ass instrument. The title track talks about one of Massachusetts’s best “workman” boxers, Micky Ward. The Murphys relate themselves to Mickey because of the hard working ethic he lived by. Always the underdogs, the Murphys and Micky alike are/were always in it for the pride and love of what they do. Another song, Your Spirit’s Alive, is very close to the hearts of the members of the band. Gregory Riley, aka Chickenman, was a dear, personal friend of the Dropkicks when he passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident in May of 2004. This song was written for Chickenman and also includes references to others the Murphys have felt the loss of. Possibly the most touching track on the album is Last Letter Home. “We had already finished this song that was based on general correspondences to & from the soldiers serving in Iraq, when we were contacted by the family of Sgt. Andrew Farrar who had recently died while serving there. The family wanted to tell us he was a big supporter of the Dropkick Murphys. They also passed on a letter that he had written to his mother shortly before his death in which he thanks her for sending him a Dropkick Murphys CD & said that if anything should happen to him in Iraq, he would like one of our songs played at his funeral…Sgt. Farrar died on January 28th, on his 31st birthday. We were present at his funereal to grant his wish and played ‘Fields of Athenry’ as his casket entered the church. This song was re-written to include excerpts from that letter” – DKM. Along with Boston radio favorites Sunshine Highway, The Burden, and the 2004 World Championship Red Sox’ official song, Tessie, The Warriors Code is reason enough for any Dropkicks fan to sing loud and sing proud. Rating: Kick Ass Recommended Tracks: Track 5 – Sunshine Highway Track 7 – The Burden Track 14 – Tessie