Naomi de Bruyn wrote this review which apparently ran on Folk Tales.
There is nothing quite like the sense of anticipation when you receive a disc in the mail, and you’ve never heard the group before, yet someone you trust has told you that this group is really great. I waited for quite awhile for Swagger to arrive, due to shipping and border crossings more than any other reason, and when it was finally plunked into my mailbox, I couldn’t wait to rip it open and put it on the stereo. The volume was happily increased after the first few strains burst through the speakers like an avalanche. I knew Flogging Molly was going to be a little apart from the norm, and they have not disappointed, only given me a new addiction!
I really like the Pogues, and Flogging Molly parallels them while still managing to put something new and different into their sound. It is incredible how similar they seem, while being so different at the same time. This group is an anathema to those who like to categorize and compartmentalize their music, for they won’t easily fit into any one section. And although they are from California, this seven piece group sounds as if they just recently breezed in on a visit from the Emerald Isle, not what I’d expect to hear from that particular state.
Flogging Molly is: Dave King (vocals, acoustic guitar), George Schwindt (drums), Bridget Regan (fiddle, tin whistle), Nathen Maxwell (bass), Matt Hensley (accordion), Robert Schmidt (mandolin, banjo), and Dennis Casey (guitar). All of the lyrics contained on this disc are the creations of songwriter Dave King, who is also the group’s front man. Dave is originally from Dublin, Ireland and brings all that spirit of that glorious land to his music.
“Salty Dog” has the music seemingly barely in rein during the verses, only to have it break free on the chorus like an animal that has been caged for far too long. Wild and powerful, a sudden burst of energetic and frenzied music. Fast paced and breathless, the music really seems to have a life of its own. The accordion seems to pull the other instruments in and give them a focus.
I can rather identify with this one at the moment, “The Worst Day Since Yesterday.” King’s rather raspy vocals are accompanied by the guitar and accordion during the verse, with the electric guitar joining in with a brash riff part way through. This song really has a sound reminiscent of the Pogues. “Hell says hello, well it’s time I should go/To pastures green, that I’ve yet to see/ Hurry back to me, my wild calling/ It’s been the worst day since yesterday…”
And then we go from brash and rowdy to a tear-threatening track, “Grace of God Go I.” King performs this one a capella, and there is so much emotion contained within his voice, not raspy and defiant this time, but clear and haunting. “Lookin’ down through a tide of no return/Is a field where the crops no longer grow/ Parched is the land, strangled an’ be damned/There for the grace of God go I…”
This disc carries incredible amount of emotion and passion within both the lyrics and music. The group is polished enough come across as a single entity, not a group of individuals, yet there is no staged feel to the music. It feels as if it is all spontaneous and completely alive, and this is something many groups can never seem to accomplish. Flogging Molly makes music with spirit, and I can only hope to some day see them live, for I think that would be a unique and memorable experience.
Flogging Molly has its own informative Web site, complete with a tour schedule, although I do believe they will be secluding themselves in the studio very soon to put together another CD. Personally, I am looking forward to hearing it. This is a talented group that is reaching places no-one has ever delved before, and I can only hope they will continue to do so.
(Self-released, 2000)
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