Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

Let us first examine of what the “Deluxe Edition” of The Meanest of Times by Dropkick Murphys consists. You got your original CD of The Meanest of Times, with five bonus tracks --- Jailbreak (yep, the Thin Lizzy classic); Thick Skin of Defiance, Forever 2007, Breakdown (NOT the Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers classic), and Flannigan’s Ball (original version) --- two of which (Thick Skin of Defiance and Breakdown) were previously only available on itunes. You also got a second disc, a DVD with the video for The State of Massachusetts, a clip of how the video for The State of Massachusetts was made; a clip of the recording of (F)lannigan’s Ball in Ireland; some footage of a St. Patrick’s Day charity breakfast that Dropkick Murphys sponsored in 2007, with the band, unplugged (it is a breakfast, remember) doing a song; and a live outdoor performance of Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya. It closes with a slideshow tribute to the Boston Red Sox.

So. Do you need this? Yes, whether you are a fan of the band or not, if you don’t have the original version of The Meanest of Times. The Dropkick Murphys deliver full-throated, beery working man anthems, original and traditional, delivered at Warp Factor Six and a cloud of dust using good old fashioned electric guitars amped to eleven with banjos, accordions, bagpipes and even a fucking tin whistle. The Meanest of Times is probably the closest to a commercial release that Dropkick Murphys have dropped to date, but only because they focus a bit more on contemporary instruments (note to band: don’t mix the bagpipes down, put ‘em in the front next time. All the way through). It isn’t like these guys have forgotten who they are or where they come from, however. I mentioned earlier how (F)lannigan’s Bar was recorded in Ireland; the reason for this is that the band wanted Irish music legends Ronnie Drew and Spider Stacy on the cut, so, back to the homeland it was. Listening to The Meanest of Times, you can see in your mind’s eye an audience full of working guys shouting the words to the songs along with the band, beer glasses hoisted in tribute.

Which brings us to the DVD. It wasn’t what I expected, but if you don’t “get” Dropkick Murphys you might watch the DVD, particularly the footage of the charity breakfast on St. Patrick’s Day. I attended functions like this as a kid --- Italian rather than Irish but it wasn’t much different, believe me --- and I hated every minute of them. I wish I could go back and attend each one, all over again, after watching this DVD. When Dropkick Murphys sing about Love and Family, you want to jump up and cheer. A sentimental punk band? Traditional and modern? Yes. Yes. Yes. When Dropkick Murphys play, even unplugged, they connect with their audience ---who are friends and family, amongst others --- in a way like I’ve rarely, if ever, seen. You want to talk about giving back to the community? One of their biggest fans was a U.S. soldier killed in Iraq; contacted by the family, the band members attended the funeral and played. That’s love and family.

The Meanest of Times --- deluxe edition or not --- is an excellent place to start, or continue, with Dropkick Murphys. Ending isn’t an option. Recommended.