Customer Reviews

Fading American Dream (W/Dvd)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this album after wandering around one night in Chicago. I haven't been able to stop playing it since. I've also peddled backwards and found every other Street Dogs album. They fit the bill as a nearly perfect punk band and this album may be their best yet.

But what I really love besides the street punk sound and high energy shows is the fact that everytime I listen to this record I feel like the band/McColgan really cares about everything they/he sings about. When he sings "Fatty" I feel like he gets the pain of that isolated kid, he strongly believes in the "Power of a Union," he really is fighting for the "Common People," and by god, Tobe really might have a drinking problem. It's so very rare to hear music with such tenacity, passion and especially heartfelt honesty. The only shame here is that more people haven't heard them yet.

When I first heard the song "Savin Hill" on a demo cd in early 2003, i was hooked from the start. I was so excited that McColgan had come back to the music world because he is one of those singers who is the real deal, real songs about real issues and no bulls*** posturing. I was first in line to pick it up when it came out. As good as that cd is, they upped their game with the next release Back to the World and im happy to report, the trend continues with this release. The album is full with infectious anthemic punk songs about the worker, soldiers, unions and hometown pride that they have become famous for as well as an acoustic cut with a kinda folksy country flavor to it called Final Transmission that is really well done and only serves to better illustrate the range and heart of the band...all in all my favorite CD of 2006 so far. if your a fan of good music then i suggest picking it and all past and future releases by these guys.

Standouts for me: Not without a Purpose, Power in a Union, Shards of Life, Hard luck Kid, Final Transmission, Katie at the Door

This cd is absolutely amazing. The dogs have created a cd where every song on the album is brilliant. Every song is written and played with heart and soul. The standouts would be sell your lies, final transmission and fading american dream. If you love smart punk, get this cd!

Fading American Dream is the Street Dogs' third album and a rousing wake up call that all is not quite well in America today. It's politically-fueled songs remind me of the Clash when they were at their best 30 years before. Their catchy riffs and furious vocals blend in with a powerful message in a day where so many "pseudo-punk" bands are singing about "Stacy's mom" or whining about their girlfriend or being bored all the time.

The album comes in with 13 riveting, hard-charging songs that are all catchy and explosive at the same time and have a common bond in songs about everyday people who see America and the Great American Dream fading away.

"Common People" leads off as an anthem for the masses. This is the Street Dogs target audience as well as who they are, too. A great way to start - 10/10

"Not Without a Purpose" - another solid up-tempo song and even bassist Johnny Rioux gets to share in a verse. Should be a concert staple. 10/10

"Fatty" - a song about a kid who is picked on in high school and the trauma he has to deal with even later on in life from it. Catchy song. 10/10

"Decency Police" - this one should antagonize some of the right wing people who think they need to dictate their views at the expense of everyone's freedom. Not my favorite, but I love the really cool change of tempo later in the song. 7/10

"There is Power in a Union" -- would be a great theme song for any union. Easy song to learn on the guitar 9/10

"Tobe's Got a Drinking Problem" -- this is a great, catchy song and yes, I would have to agree, Tobe better do something about his problem!! 10/10

"Shards of Life" -- this song has a Celtic flavor reminiscient of the Dropkick Murphy's that even they would be proud to call their own. 10/10

"Sell Your Lies" -- an angry good old fashioned punk song 8/10

"Rights to your Soul" -- Mike feels sorry for a heroin addict and questions how did this young girl let herself turn out this way 9/10

"Hard Luck Kid" -- very catchy song about a person who turned to crime and ruined his life. 10/10

"Fading American Dream" -- the title track typifies the entire album and I think is one of it's best, rocking songs. A 20 year old young man with a wife and kid are stretched to their limits and can't pay the rent. I would be disappointed if they didn't play this one in concert. 10/10

"Final Transmission" -- tremendous change of pace acoustic song about a kid sent out to fight in the Gulf War 10/10

"Katie Bar the Door" -- an up tempo rocker and a great way to close out the album. 9/10

In short, this album has heart and it has passion. There just aren't that many albums as good as this one and I am surprised at how many people have never heard of this band, although more and more are catching on. If you are looking to pick up an album by this band, this would be the one I would recommend the most although they are all good, too. This is a very good band, and I think this one is their best effort to date.

Great LP. Probably the best one the dogs have come out with, and the one the dropkicks always wished they could write.

Gritty enough to make you want to smash somebody's face, but honest and lyrical enough to keep you glued to your stereo. Fading Amedican Dream is an all around great album.

this is better than the last cd but still no putting it in overdrive yet!great tunes improving their style a little but no proof that their are much different for dropkick or as powerfully charged.still good honest punk rock and they have to stand out more!

If you like punk rock at all, you need to get this record. Not a single bad track on the thing. Perfect follow up to another great record ("Back To The World"). One of the best albums I own. Period.

The voice of the singer is impressive, since i listen it for the first time I cannot stop doing it, my dream is to be able to be going to see them live!
Patrick from Argentina

I honestly was not that impressed with 'Back to the World'. There were some great cuts like "In Defense of Dorchester", "A Tale of Mass Deception", "Stagger", but for some reason it just seemed like it was lacking the extra bit of life that drove 'Savin Hill'.

Whatever worries I might have had were shredded by 'Fading American Dream'. It is a tough, honest, fat-free recording fully showcasing a confident band that means business. The Street Dogs' rhythm section has always been strong, but here the guitars sound rejuvenated and utterly menacing, and somehow seem to increase the effortless ferocity of Mike's vocals. He has without a doubt the perfect voice for this band's sound.

The material here is consistent, and as a whole nothing feels out of place. Highlights include the fiery opener "Common People", "Fatty", "Tobe's Got a Drinking Problem", "Rights to Your Soul", the really cool "Hard Luck Kid" and the title track. Honorable mentions go to Billy Bragg's "There is Power in the Union" and the startlingly convincing (in an era where a lot of artists sing about this topic) "Final Transmission".

As you can see, most of the tracks are pretty good. Hopefully I have enticed you to enough to check this album out.