Customer Reviews

Back to the World

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Mike was always near and dear to me, back in his Dropkick days and I must say, when he left and Bruisers boy Al Barr took over, I never quite felt the same (though I continue to LOVE the Dropkick's and have everything they put out). When Street Dogs came along, and I heard what they were laying down...I knew that what I'd been waiting for, for so long, had come around. Once again, with this release, they do not fail to deliver the goods that never fails to reach right into me and touch me every time.

Let it also be said that I, as a US Marine, picked up a couple of extra copies of these and sent them back to my brothers who are still doing their duty in Iraq. Lets them know that these boys carry them right in their hearts and souls, and it did the same for me. I had the luxury of hearing it on US soil however, something that is priceless. But this is something that Mike's been doing ever since day one, make no mistake about it.

I can't really express enough how much these boys mean to me, and to my brothers. Just trying to piece together a few bumbling lines here on Amazon, but definitely want to tell you that if you're thinking about getting this, think no more. Just get it, and you'll be glad you did.

The Good
There's no denying that each track on Back to the World is loaded with plenty of catchy and somewhat predictable punk riffs and rhythms, but it was the lyrics that had the biggest impact on me. "Strike a Blow" is about how rock music needs to take back radio as it did in the nineties. "You Alone" inspires you to believe in yourself. "In Defense of Dorchester" has McColan paying homage to his hometown. You gotta love that whooh-whooh chorus section. "Back to the World" is about a homesick U.S. solider serving his country in Iraq, while "Tales of Mass Deception" basically lashes out at our President for sending him there under false pretences.

It's not all seriousness for Street Dogs; "Drink Tonight" is a one-minute punk explosion about having a good time. On the other side of that coin is "Stagger", a song about that old man at the end of the bar that eventually drinks himself to death. "White Collar Fraud" is about how people can get sucked into corporate greed and forget where they came from. If you're not sure how alcohol can ruin someone's life, listen to "Patrick". He used to be a promising young man until he hit the bottle and became an angry failure. "Hands Down" tackles the issue of abusive relationships.

The Bad
Are you kidding me?!

The Verdict
Street Dogs' latest release is punk rock music for the thinking man. Each song tackles a different issue that many of us can relate to in our own lives. That's how music is supposed to affect us, and McColan has a firm grasp on that concept. To drive these well-written thoughts and views home, Street Dogs set them to catchy and enjoyable music that's sure to burn into your head.

I got this album because I heard "Tale of Mass Deception" on the radio and was instantly hooked. The fact that I've been a Dropkick Murphys fan since the mid 90s probably helped as well, but I don't want to belabour the point.

In short, this is a decent album. It lacks the musical variety and celtic instrumental feel that characterized more recent efforts by bands like the Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly and as such those hoping to get another round of Swagger or Sing Loud, Sing Proud should probably look elsewhere (or listen to this album with those reservations in mind). However, the music is solid and the lyrics are meaningful, possibly even catchier than the tunes themselves (and I'm the kind of person who cares more about the way a song sounds that what it says).

There is some valid criticism that many of the songs are by the numbers and seem like slightly grittier versions of pop-punk, but after a few listens this aura quickly burns away leaving you with a good taste in your mouth. The songs all address serious subjects like alcoholism, drugs, unemployment, war, corruption, misery of the working poor and the struggle to unionize. If you're looking for trendy, sugary hymns to skating, getting drunk, goofing off, and making out with a hot punk chick, you'd best stick to other more mainstream bands. If, on the other hand, you want catchy, thoughful punk with a message and are willing to accept the fact that some songs are stronger than the others and have a tendancy to sound alike, this just may be your album. Good tracks include "In Defense of Dorchester," "Patrick," "Tale of Mass Deception," and "White Collar Fraud."

This was the first album I heard by the street dogs. I went to the social distortion show last week in orlando and these guys were there as well. It was worth the $25 just to see these guys. Too bad they didnt stay on the whole night. Their set was only 30 mins. After I also got to meet lead singer Mike McColgan. He is really cool. With an attitude like he has, this band will go far. At least in my opinion.

If you're looking for some bubblegum pop-punk, DON'T BUY THIS ALBUM!!! If on the other hand you are looking for a no nonsense, straight to the point album, then "Back to the World" is for you. The Street Dogs stuck to the same formula that made their first album "Savin Hill" so brilliant. Their songs just get into your mind and make you think about yourself and the world around you. The first song, "Strike a Blow" defines who and what the Street Dogs are. "You Alone" focuses on taking the cards your dealt and making it work. The Street Dogs, in particular Mike McColgan, also pay homage to their hometown as evident by "In Defense of Dorchester." Throughout the album you will find songs of government misleadings ("Tale of Mass Deception"), the good and bad of alcohol ("Drink Tonight" and "Stagger"),the call to end violence against women ("Hands Down") and of course the ever present pro-union anthem ("Unions and The Law"). This is an album I recomend.

Exactly what the 'dogs' did when they burst onto the scene in 2003 with their debut 'Savin Hill' (got my nod for best album of 2003), and the boys don't seem to be slowing down one bit with 'Back to the World' in 2005. Once in awhile a band comes along where everything they put out is a 'must own', and the Street Dogs are that kind of band. I'm not a professional music reviewer, so I'm not going to go off and give you a million reasons, why or why not to purchase this album, it should be a no brainer. If you dug Savin Hill(if you didn't, there is something wrong with you), you'll dig Back to the World. And if you ever get a chance to see these guys live, DO IT, They're worth 10 times the price of admission.

The Street Dogs avoid a sophomore slump with this release. In some ways, it's a similar album to the debut: however, if anything, the lyrics in particular have improved. Not that they were lacking on the 1st record, in fact they were rather deep at times, as opposed to much punk music, which can often cover the same old ground ad nauseam. Some of the anger that one often associates with the genre is certainly apparent, but the Street Dogs are not a band that limits itself to one or two emotions. In addition, the Street Dogs are simply a band that is hard to stylistically pin down. This is not a mere "by the numbers" punk band, they are also influenced by other music of various types and eras, particularly folk and country, and it strikes me that the band refuses to take a doctrinaire approach in the composition of its music. The band are competent, even quite good, musicians, and I also get the impression that they are not adherents of what I like to call "the more musically incompetent you are the better you are school." this idea simply ruins some punk music. there is no reason to necessarily be overly simplistic lyrically and instrumentally in order to have a solid recording. the playing on this album is as stellar as the first, perhaps even more so.
in terms of the actual words of the songs, there is much here that indeed is familiar. working- class issues, descriptions of the Boston neighborhood that the writer grew up in, and the effects of substance abuse are there. the singer's socio-political concerns have widened in the brilliant " tale of mass deception." this social awareness tune , i must admit, kind of surprised me. i would have previously pegged the band as, aside from class and economic matters, a relatively apolitical group. the band deals with a complicated situation and the questions that arise from controversial current political affairs deftly. that i agree with the song's point of view regarding the current administartion does indeed, i admit, perhaps increase my appreciation of the song. being a "leaning to the left person" there isn't anything here lyrically that i would question. however, i also feel that the band indeed deserves a heap of praise for bravely taking a concrete position on this fiasco that might perhaps alienate some of their fans who don't agree with the band's interpretation of the damaging and greed- fueled policy being pursued by the republicans ( my opinion). but then again, as for challenging assumptions and offering well thought out opinions, that's what a committed and interesting lyricist should do, isn't it?
another song that i would like to comment on is " in defense of dorchester." in this song , lyricist/ vocalist mike mccolgan makes a spirited defense of the section of his hometown that he hails from. what's my take on this? in truth, there really is a lot of disdain and smug condescension hurled at such neighborhoods by academics, intellectuals, and the like. i am currently finishing up a master's program, have friends who are musicians, artists, writers and such, and i must say that in such circles the local "regular guy," if you will, is often considered to be a boor, a phillistine, a boogeyman. some of these leftists (not all of course) in fact do spout well- meaning and rosy tributes to the working class and what not- until they see what the local working class is actually like and how they live, their attitudes, culture, etc. what i like about mccolgan's lyrics is that he is able to vigorously defend his background and values without being nasty, ignorant or too one- sided about it. after all..it is a two sided coin. it would be just as easy to write a song attacking the neighborhood, or your neighborhood, or mine.. let's be frank- the reverse is indeed also unfortunately often true- there is, of course, quite a bit of ignorance, conformity, rudeness, lack of imagination, bigotry, etc. in such neighborhoods. i know this personally as well as anyone. but then again there are such troubling things all over the world. mccolgan's defense of the neighborhood is thus honest and admirable.
the lyrics, as i mentioned before, are an improvement over the already accomplished lyrics of the savin hill album. i'm really impressed with mcolgan's lyrical leap. he may very well develop even further as a penetrating, occasionally humorous, moving, and effective wordsmith.the street dogs are simultaneously a solidly punk outfit with firm credentials that also refuse to be trapped in a sort of prison by being confined strictly to the punk category without acknowledging influence from various other musical sources. i'm not going to lie, you've probably already detected that i'm not really a big punk afficionado. while i like some of it, for me, the greatest era of rock was unquestionably the 1966-1971 period. however, i think that the street dogs are a band that defies and transcends restrictions of genre, and i actually think that, potentially, this is a band that can evolve and mutate, without compromising their integrity or values, into something that has meaning and importance beyond the punk clubs and college radio punk programs.

I heard the Street Dogs @ Fenway Park @ the Dropkicks show. They are a a Great group with a Great library of songs.

The Street Dogs had a phenomenal effort with their first album, Savin Hill and had intense pressure to live up to that effort. "Back to the World" was a well-written album that followed it up and while not quite as critically acclaimed as Savin Hill or the third album "Fading American Dream" it is still a very good listen with several songs the band continues to play in concert years later. If there is any complaint here it is that it comes in a little over 32 minutes which is a little on the short side and several of the songs sound similar. Still, it is a rocking, rousing album that blends hard-driving punk with melodic choruses. This has been a trademark of the Street Dogs on every album and it has been met with very good success although not nearly as much as they deserve. Here is the album:

1. "Strike a Blow" -- good opening track with a start reminiscient of the Clash which has been a huge influence on this band. It is a shame that today's radio stations insist on playing so much garbage and the Top 40 today is extremely mediocre and in many cases dreadful. This is a very relevant song in today's music. -- 9/10

2. "You Alone" -- nice lyrics and a good message to rise up and make something of yourself because nobody else is going to give it to you. -- 8/10

3. "In Defense of Dorchester" -- a little hometown pride for the boys -- 8/10

4. "Back to the World" -- a song about a homesick soldier fighting in the Gulf -- 8/10

5. "Tale of Mass Deception" -- this is a song that stands on its own and is different from the rest of the album with a powerful message to the government. This is an excellent song and one of their best -- 10/10

6. "Drink Tonight" -- a one minute ode to drinking that they play at nearly every concert. I love the transition at the end and a fun song -- 9/10

7. "Stagger" -- with a good chorus and catchy tune, you just have to like this one about an old drunk at the bar. -- 10/10

8. "White Collar Fraud" -- do you think a blue-collar union guy like Mike McColgan would take too kindly to white collar crime?? Probably not!! 8/10

9. "Patrick" -- a song about a bright young kid whose life is ruined by booze, drugs and life in the fast lane -- 9/10

10. "Pull the Pin" - one of the better songs on the album -- 10/10

11. "Hands Down" -- this song is about an abusive husband beating his wife. 8/10

12. "Unions and the Law" -- very mellow song. Has a powerful message and very good lyrics, but didn't care for it too much. -- 5/10

I have most of this album rated very highly and just a notch down from their first and third albums overall but there is a lot of good music on it and if you see them in concert, you will still hear a few songs from it. This band is very good and you have to appreciate the thoughtful lyrics as well as fine musicianship on any of their albums. If you are new to this band, I would start with Savin Hill or Fading American Dream, but this album stands on its own quite nicely, too.

This is a really melodic punk rock album with good vocals.
No songs on it suck,way better than most crap coming out today.