Dropkick Murphys - 15favourite albums

Mon 20th Dec, 2010 in Features

Fresh from playing on the No Sleep Til festival tour, where they delivered ‘easily one of the standout sets of the festival’ Dropkick Murphys’ drummer Matt Kelly tells FasterLouder all about his 15 favourite albums of all time.

From French Oi!/Punk to ‘70s Glam, The Pogues and a trio of Aussie bands – it’s an unsurprisingly rocking list.

1. AC/DC – Powerage

I don’t think that, as having AC/DC as my favorite band, I’m alone in holding this LP in highest esteem. Though this list of my favorite albums is by no means in order, I think that this is my #1 favorite album of all time.

Just perfect, zero-bullshit rock and roll from start to finish. I prefer the version of this album that starts with Rock And Roll Damnation to the version that includes Cold Hearted Man. Also, the mix of What’s Next To the Moon is far superior on the remixed version of the LP, with the doubled lead vocals in the last verse and the slightly different arrangement centering on the solo. Plus there’re backup vocals on the whole remixed album and an extra rhythm guitar track.

This is a masterpiece.

2. IRON MAIDEN – Live After Death

With Maiden being one of my top bands, to pick a favorite of theirs was tough for me. I love the 2.5 albums DiAnno did with these guys, but I can’t discount the savagery they wrought with Dickinson behind the mic, especially in the ‘80s. As a whole album, this thing spans their career from ‘76 up ‘til ‘84(L.A.D. was recorded in ‘85), and the live versions of their classic tunes absolutely rip. For me, these guys are probably the only heavy metal band I can really get behind, and I’m absolutely fanatical about them. I got a dubbed cassette of this in 7th grade or something and played it constantly, converting my friends to Maiden fiendishness, but never to the insanity which I attained. This album is a great starter for anybody who wants a best-of from when Maiden was young and at the height of their powers. Essential.

3. ROSE TATTOO – Rose Tattoo or Rock and Roll Outlaws

After AC/DC, my obsession with Aussie rock really started with the Tatts. And no, I didn’t get into them through Guns’n’Roses. This is the perfect soundtrack to a barbecue, a barroom brawl, or just balling. Every song is just great on here. Legend has it that Lobby Lloyd gave them the riff to Bad Boy For Love... which leads me to wonder, which came first: Bad Boy or the Deecees’ She’s Got Balls? Listened to this quite a bit on tour over the years, have thrown some songs on mixes, etc.

4. KOMINTERN SECT – Dernier Combat

One of, if not the, greatest French Oi!/Punk bands of all time. This album is the follow-up to their 1983 magnum opus, les Seigneures de Guerre LP, and shows better musicianship and songwriting, and has excellent tunes like Tous Ensemble(_All Together_) and the amazing Les AnnÈes d’ Acier(_The Years of Steel_).

99% of the time I don’t know what the hell they’re singing, but the music really does the talking, so to speak. Smoking record, throw it on for your next skinhead street party.

5. KILLING TIME – Brightside

Though I’m not a fan of metallic hardcore per se (prefering the more punk and rock and roll side of hardcore), this album is just rocking as hell, with beefy production, which lends itself to knuckle-dragging anthems like No More Mr. Nice Guy, Wisdom In Chains, and the title track. Tough-as-nails New York Hardcore that has been imitated but never bettered in my humble opinion. This album is great for beating people up, walking around thinking you’re hot shit, or slaughtering animals.

6. SLAPSHOT – Back On The Map

Boston’s first Hardcore supergroup. This album is a mix of your old school hardcore and British Oi!, with a healthy dose of Boston pride oozing out of it. Very original-sounding band that had a little of the ol’ metal crunch, rock and roll, and pure punk rock rage and attitude. Back when this thing came out, Chock (vocals) would wield half a hockey stick onstage, singers-along be damned. Songs like Chip On My Shoulder, It’s Happening Today, and the title track just destroy… but every tune on this is amazing and reminds me of the glory days of high school with my buddies, taking the train into Town and going to the Channel Club, etc. Angry, bad-ass Boston Hardcore that stands up against anything from New York or LA.

7. RADIO BIRDMAN – Radios Appear

It’s amazing that I hate the DOORS so frigging much, but somehow I really dig their influence on BIRDMAN. These songs just rip in the coolest way; the rock doesn’t overpower the punk, and vice versa. Style, attitude, and musicianship combine to create some absolutely amazing tunes. Use of space and breathing room to great effect. Not much else can be said. Buy or fucking die.