Album Reviews

Chicago-based Celtic punk band Flatfoot 56 is back. New album “Toil” consists of 13 songs, most of which are rowdy, upbeat punkrock affairs with a bagpipe or mandolin thrown in (opener “Brother, Brother”, “Work For Them”).

While the comparison to Dropkick Murphys is an easy one and not without foundation, Flatfoot 56’s material comes across as less exuberant than their Boston neighbours and more akin to the Swingin’ Utters. The songs on “Toil” are certainly entertaining enough, even if things do start to sound alike after a while. If you’re not yet tired of the whole Celtic punk band thing and still have enough money left after picking up the new Real Mackenzies album, this one is certainly worth the consideration.