Every Dropkick Murphys Albums Ranked Worst To Best
1. Sing Loud, Sing Proud!
With their third studio album, Sing Loud, Sing Proud!, Dropkick Murphys ushered in the changes needed to develop the band's hallmark hardcore punk/celtic sound. Where the first two records were primarily Irish-gilded punk songs, Sing Loud, Sing Proud melds the two styles in a more cohesive way.
Central to this evolution was a change in the group's line-up. Guitarist Rick Barton was replaced by guitar and accordion player Marc Orrell. Second guitarist James Lynch was brought on board as well. Two full-time players were also added in the form of tin whistle/mandolinist Ryan Foltz and bagpiper Spicy McHaggis.
Opening track "For Boston" is one of the stronger sing-along songs in their catalog and remains a favorite at live shows.
Their versions of "Rocky Road to Dublin" and "The Wild Rover" set the standard for deftly blending street punk and scally caps. Other standouts are the ballads "Forever" and "The Torch".
Legendary Pogues frontman Shane McGowan adds vocals to the tongue-in-cheek "Good Rats". The record wraps up with the humorous "Spicy McHaggis Jig", an ode to their bagpiper and his romantic proclivities.
For any Dropkick Murphys fan, Sing Loud, Sing Proud! is all killer and no filler. When recruiting new fans into the DKM family, this is the album to play for them.