Dropkick Murphys | B+

The Dropkick Murphys have made a name for themselves by combining brash, no-holds-barred punk rock with traditional Irish themes and melodies. However, in their seventh album-release, the Boston natives add an additional element to their Celtic punk sensibilities: storytelling. Going Out In Style is the band's most ambitious project to date, marking their first attempt at a cohesive concept album. Though the album's story is unfocused at times, the band's good-natured aggression, diverse instrumentation and signature anthems make for a highly embraceable punk rock record.

For the most part, Going Out In Style blends the members' own personal experiences and family folklore to tell the story of the fictional Irish immigrant, Cornelius Larkin. The story begins with the elderly Larkin looking back on his life via the title track. The story continues forward including his difficult upbringing in Ireland in the song "Cruel," followed by him joining the army in "Memorial Day." To conclude the character's story, "Climbing a Chair to Bed" exemplifies the fear that comes with such a decision.

The message becomes unclear on the album's second half, which is filled mostly with unfocused accounts of war that are difficult to tie into Larkin's story. Musically, the album is filled with what the Murphys do best: rousing punk anthems, gang vocal chants and call-and-response interplay from dual vocalists Ken Casey and Al Barr. The album also includes trademark characteristics of Irish instrumentation, including bagpipes, a tin whistle and a banjo. Even Bruce Springsteen gets in on the action, lending his distinctive drawl to "Peg o' My Heart."

The Dropkick Murphys' first conceptual endeavor might not be the easiest album to fully understand, but the band's exhilarating energy and overall fun nature make for a rousing record that's sure to be a barroom staple.