Black Thorn [Import]

Flatfoot 56 (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 16, 2010)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: PID
• ASIN: B0038JH3CI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #202,276 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Escape (Intro)

2. Black Thorn

3. Born For This

4. Courage

5. Smoke Blower

6. The Hourglass

7. Shiny Eyes

8. We Grow Stronger

9. Son of Shame

10. Stampede

11. You Won Me Over

12. Way of the Sun

13. Hot Head

Editorial Reviews

Review

Celtic folklore cites the Black Thorn as being the most sinister and evil of all trees. When its leaves fall off nothing remains but a dark, twisted skeleton. On top of that, it is also the main ingredient found in the construction of the traditional Irish weapon, the shillelagh. Although, it may not be the reason they went with the title it is certainly a fitting description for the latest release from Chicago s finest Celtic band, Flatfoot 56. I was first introduced to this ragged, rabble-rousing crew when I heard their last album, Jungle of the Midwest Sea . From the haunting drums and bellowing sea shanties of the intro, The Galley Slave you were launched directly into a punk-rock assault they entitled, Carry Em Out . They had my number, I was hooked. How could you possibly top that? Fast-forward a few years and with The Galley Slave sitting high-atop my favorite album intros, across my plate comes, Black Thorn , an album that is promptly being released on St. Patrick s Day (March 17th) of this year. Here we go... let s see what they have in store. This intro starts with the same emotion and darkness as the last but this time the haunting drums are replaced with a chilling mandolin and a few simple questions being asked, Tired of the everyday grind? Want to get away from it all? Dream of a life of romantic adventure? And the answer is a strong response... We offer you The Escape . From there you are thrown straight into the knuckles-up title-track, Black Thorn . I firmly believe that this band needs an album strictly composed of intros. These are so intense at times it makes your hair stand up on end. After you start to come down from the opening, Black Thorn continues to solider on like any good album should. The title-track is a hard and honest song with the harsh line, If you forget...I ll forget you . Soon to be followed by the song prominently featured in the album s teaser-trailer released online, Hourglass . An infectious fist-pumping mandolin-heavy song that talks about the struggle between finding the time for everything important in your life and all the while trying to escape the world s hourglass. A feeling I am sure anyone who is trying to make ends meet can relate with. The tone is brought down to a more heartfelt level with, Courage . Much like the Street Dogs one-time show closer, Fighter ... Courage is a passionate homage to a beloved individual who has greatly affected your life in a positive and unbelievable way. When front man, Tobin Bawinkel states, ...because of your example, you inspired me! ... We can all relate to that courage that has been bestowed on us from a loved one at some point in our lives. Myself included. This song confirmed to me why they decided to work with Street Dogs member, Johnny Rioux at his legendary, Compound. A very wise decision that has, lucky for us listeners, resulted in an outstanding album. Not only by sound-quality but by content as well. After you re done drying your eyes from listening to Courage you re pulled back into the Braveheart circle-pit that the Ollie Mob (Flatfoot 56 followers) use to destroy the enemy. The song, Smoke Blower . It s fast, quick and straight to the neck. House of Cards, House of Sticks...you ll never shake my House of Bricks! is routinely chanted by this relentless chorus of fire. The album ends off with the fast & furious, Hot Head . A proper conclusion to a solid album from start to finish. I expected a great listen from these Chicago boys and they gave me exactly what I asked for and more. What else could a guy want? Maybe that cheesy 80s band was right... every rose does have its thorn, but if Flatfoot 56 has anything to do with it, this time they ll be black! --Dying Scene

I had such mixed feelings about Flatfoot 56. I really wasn t sure what to expect from Black Thorn . My first introduction to Flatfoot 56 was when I went to see a local band open for The Street Dogs a year or two ago. The show Flatfoot 56 put on, was by far the highlight of the night. Their stage presence and energy they brought to the venue was infectious. The place just exploded and was one of the better acts I ve seen since being in Atlanta. I went home that night and checked out a few of their albums and I have to admit was disappointed. Fast Forward to February 2010 and I m asked to review their newest album Black Thorn which is set to be release St. Patrick s Day. Listening to this album brought me right back to that show. Black Thorn is filled to the rim with Celtic influenced, high intensity gang vocal laden, heavy hitting song after song. Not only are the songs powerful and addicting, they are also recorded & mixed to perfection. Each intricate musical piece of this band is perfectly combined to make the band sound like a whole unit rather than individuals playing music together. The term All for one and one for all is what comes to mind when I think of the unity this band s sound has. There aren t any bad songs to speak of on this album and of course there are a few songs I like more than others. Ultimately you can t go wrong with any of them. My favorites are; Smoke Blower (for its integration of so many different tones and great lyrics), Shiny Eyes (For its change of pace, slowed down acoustic sound mixed with male/female harmonic chorus), & Hourglass (What can I say, it s just bad ass). Like I said just about all the songs are great and if you ever get a chance to see them live, you are bound to see one hell of a show. --PunkRockReview.com --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

In what has been an unprecedented year for Flatfoot 56, the Southside Chicago band's 10 year anniversary has been marked by well-deserved milestones in celebration of the release of their brand new album Black Thorn from Old Shoe Records. Since the year 2000, the Chicago Celtic-Punk outfit has steadily unleashed a rollicking barrage of their hardcore/folk/punk fusion to audiences across the globe with intense and positive party-like energy. Produced by Johnny Rioux (Street Dogs), Black Thorn debuted at #2 on Billboard's Heatseekers Chart, in addition to healthy positions on eight other charts in its first week. The album tightly packs Flatfoot's eclectic and driving musical charge into thirteen tracks that celebrate the pride of the working class and their Chicago roots. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome...as expected, March 30, 2010

By 

Jacob L. Eisch "sconnie rock" (Wisconsin!) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black Thorn (MP3 Download)

What can I say? These guys are amazing! A good balance of sing alongs, fists in the air, and some down home punk rock. I love it.

Favorite Track: Courage

Runner Up: Son of Shame

Honorable Mention: Smoke Blower

Thanks for another awesome album!

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, But Not As Good, February 10, 2012

By 

HeavyMetalSushi - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Thorn (Audio CD)

I have been a Flatfoot 56 fan since their 1st album, and though I liked this album overall, I didn't enjoy this one quite as well. I thought it lacked a little of Flatfoot 56's fire, and most of the songs seemed at a kinda slower pace that in previous workings. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but they just seemed to be lacking a little in this album. I did like it okay though, just not near as good as their prior 2 albums. I still liked it though...I think I will always have a special place in my collection for the Flatfoot! Worth checking out. ;-)

5.0 out of 5 stars rabble rousing celtic punk, February 6, 2012

By 

P J Willoughby - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Thorn (Audio CD)

Flatfoot 56 is from Chicago and formed in 2000. They had a couple of independent releases before getting signed to Flicker Records and releasing `Knuckles Up' (2006) and `Jungle Of The Midwest Sea' (2007). They are now signed to Old Shoe Records for `Black Thorn' due out on 30 March 2010. The band consists of brothers Tobin Bawinkel (vocals & guitar), Kyle Bawinkel (bass & backing vocals), and Justin Bawinkel (drums & backing vocals). After nine years together Josh Robieson (bagpipes) left to finish his degree and spend more time with his new wife. Filling his shoes is Eric McMahon (bagpipes & guitar) and Brandon Good (mandolin & guitar). Flatfoot's sound is often compared to Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly and The Pogues. The album has been produced by the Street Dogs' Johnny Rioux.

Black Thorn is the name given to a thorny bush or small tree which has black bark, white flowers, and deep blue fruits. In Ireland blackthorn was often used to make a shillelagh, which is a club or cudgel made from a stout knotty stick with a large knob at the top. According to folklore in medieval times, the Devil was said to prick his follower's fingers with the thorn of a Blackthorn tree. But I digress.

The theme of the title track is about a friend losing their faith, but asks them to reconsider what they once had "I have prayed as you passed like the falling rain/ Once a gem, then turned to a speck of grain/ Don't give it up, blood is thicker than wine/ Is there any reason to your rhyme?/ Walk the walk and speak what you mean to say/ Face the facts/ Keep walking day by day/ Let the past die with the troubles of the morn/ Say farewell to fields of thorns/ Briars of blackthorns!"

The next couple are fairly typical Flatfoot songs and just as you think you know what's coming next, they rip your head off in `Smoke Blower' with its heart pounding, circle-pit inspiring ferocity. Then its time for them to break out their other styles, with the street-punk of `We Grow Stronger', the rowdy pub-rocking/punch-drunk `Son Of Shame' and they steamroller through `Stampede'. There is also one acoustic ballad in `Shiny Eyes' with female vocals from Jane Bawinkel.

They finish off with a rabble-rouser that has an alternative message. `Hothead' asks you "Take a step back before you start/ Weigh it all out and check your heart/ You'd earn my respect to overlook this offence/ instead of starting fights over nonsense/ Losing your temper is always a mistake and never the road I would want you to take". And the final line is "Do yourself a favour and act your age, instead of giving in to stupid rage".

What makes Flatfoot 56 such a great band is their boundless enthusiasm, infectious energy and a devotion to the fans. Tobin explains that the cohesive theme of Black Thorn is a fundamentally universal one "Everyone goes through hardships, but you aren't alone. Punk rock is about community and brotherhood. This record is our contribution to that."

Cheers, lads !