Singles Collection, Vol. 2

Singles Collection, Vol. 2 collects covers, B-sides, and "other crap" from the Dropkick Murphys, circa 1998-2004. Cock Sparrer, the Business, Shane MacGowan, AC/DC, Gang Green, Motörhead -- the covers connect the hardworking Boston unit to their heroes, but also make up a great punk (and rock, too) jukebox for any Dropkicks fan. CCR's "Fortunate Son" becomes a raucous street punk anthem with some absolutely killer rhythm guitar, there are two Cock Sparrer covers ("Working" and the Oi! classic "Watch Your Back"), and "Mob Mentality" is a collaboration with the Business that has a message for punk rock's fair-weather fans. News flash: it's not "Hey! Welcome!" AC/DC's "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock & Roll)" was a natural for the Dropkick Murphys -- they've paid their dues and have a bagpiper in the band -- and their version is typically ragged and boisterous. "Pipebomb on Landsdowne [Dance Remix]" was "recorded at 4:30 a.m. sometime in August 1999," and there are great takes on material from Sham 69 ("Hey Little Rich Boy") and Angelic Upstarts ("Never Again"). The Dropkicks host Shane MacGowan on a suitably teetering, slurring version of the traditional Irish "Wild Rover" -- it comes complete with the audio of a raucous, beery party. Speaking of the Pogues legend, Rancid's Lars Frederiksen joins the band for "Vengeance," which MacGowan wrote as part of his first band, the Nipple Erectors. Another highlight is an amplified yet reverent version of "Victory," better known as the Notre Dame fight song. "No particular reason for recording it," the liners state, "just sounded good on the pipes." The list goes on. Singles Collection, Vol. 2 will disappoint no fan of the Dropkick Murphys, especially anyone trying to track down some of the rarer 7" and comp appearances this set collects. It's a gift to diehards from one of most honest bands in rock music today. ~ Johnny Loftus