Customer Reviews

Float (Picture Disc) [Vinyl]

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First things first: If you're looking for the rebel-rousing, drinking song filled release that Flogging Molly has become famous for, this may not be the album for you. With each album that FM has released, they've began to inch away from the lyrical content of their earlier works, and closer to a more personal, mature sound. While their previous albums were filled with songs of Irish heritage, and lyics inspired by lead singer Dave King missing his homeland, this album tackles more personal issues. While not as fast-paced and hard-edged as their previous work, the songwriting on all accounts has reached a new, more mature level here. And all in all, I believe that to be for the best. With Float, Flogging Molly show that they're not just a one-trick pony. Instead of repeating what they've done in the past, they take a step forward, and I for one applaud them for it.

So, in review: If you're looking for the novelty of their previous works, in terms of drinking songs and good time jams, this album may not be the one for you. But, if you're a fan on FM who wishes to see them take a step in a new direction, while still maintaining their signature sound, I HIGHLY recomend this album.

Have you ever listened to an album once and thought, meh, that was good, ok quickly put in an old favorite of yours?
This album, LIKE MOST Incredible albums grows on you the second you stop it.
You find yourself wanting more. More of that wholesome beat, the fine instramentals, the passion and honesty in the song.
I find myself in a mental uproar when listening to a little "03.float" or "04.lightning storm" wanting to see the band live again, to experience the awesomeness that is dave king with a Guinness in a plastic cup singing with flogging molly playing their best.

'don't sink the boat...that you built to keep afloat'

Ok, first off, I have been listening to FM for about 6 years now. I was intruduced to them through a friend, who played me the fistrt 10 seconds of Drunken Lullibies and i was hooked. Now, its been a good couple of years since FM has realesed an album, so I was excited to hear that they finally realesed a new one. Well kiddies, unfortunatly its not the album I was expecting. Lets go with the pros first

Pros:
*This is the first album from FM that does'nt sound like it was recorded in a tin can. (though i almost consider that a con)
*This is the tightest the band has been (instrumentally)
*Some songs i like the up-beat feel to a little more than the older albums

Cons:
*The band has unfortuantly opted for a more mainstream rock lyrics rather than the "drinking songs" of old, though some songs still retain the originality.
* 42 minutes of music? C'mon, if I am gonna pay 15 bucks i would like something more filling.
*It took WAY too long for the band to come up with this little of music, I still love them to death but I'd like a little more bang for my buck.

Over all, this is not a horrible album, but its not the bands best either. Hopefully the next album will return more towards the point of origen. If you are a fan, then you owe it to yourself to pick it up, if you are not but are intersted in the band, then pick up Drunken Lullibies or Swagger.

Other than the Pogues this is the only Irish Punk band I like. They started out with a polished and faster version of what the Pogues did 15 years earlier but they were different and talented enough that you didn't have that many parallels in their music. After 3 albums I was wondering where they were going with their music, I couldn't see them doing Irish punk songs like the first two albums forever. I was right in that respect, they have matured to a point that they have found a nice niche they made for themselves. The music has good songwriting arrangements and pulls you in. It's good that this band has the talent to stay a Float.

If you have been a fan of Flogging Molly (FM) for years you just might be a tad disappointed. I only say this becuase the album seems to lack the "hard-core" energy that you feel on their previous albums, or even during a live concert.

I've seen reviews calling this album: "Flogging Molly's most mature album to date". I have to say that more mature does not always mean better. The album is overall much more slower then the previous FM installments. The songs are not as catchy, I have yet to find a hook:

(A hook is a musical idea, a passage or phrase, that is believed to be appealing and make the song stand out).

With that said the album would best fit in a bar or social setting, much like background music. If your a long time fan, you can't turn down the unique sound FM creates, but if you are looking for the same energy, it's not all there.

Most bands who have been around for over 10 years seem to change in someway, FM in this case has become more mature with age - this means in my opinion, that they have relaxed.

I give it a three becuase I still crave what they brought forth in "Swagger" and "Drunken Lullabies". Frankly, if I wanted background music for my bar I would have picked up a Pogues album.

Not only is this already my favourite Flogging Molly album, I have a good idea that this could be my favourite album of the year, though the year's still young.

Flogging Molly's folky side really shines through on this record, and I like it. About 70% of the songs are the same punk we've come to love and expect, and the other 30% of the songs lean more towards Irish folk music; however, there's something fresh about this collection. The melodies are better, the songs are catchier, and the pace is quicker. I've listened to this album at least 15 times straight through since I bought it, and even at 40 minutes I'm surprised when it comes to an end.

Their mixture of mandolin, banjo, accordian, flutes, and fiddle have always amazed me, and this time around is no let down.

This album flows so well, and Flogging Molly is sounding better and better with age. I HIGHLY recommend this album to anyone into punk or folk music.

This is one of the most complete and impressive albums I've ever heard. I would put it on the same level as Pogues' "Rum, Sodomy and the Lash," though it's style and tone are completely different. The lyrics are powerful and the music is superb! A treasure!

When I first caught on to this Celtic Punk/Thrash kind of music I was blown away. I just thought it was a great sound. A great combining of musical styles and Flogging Molly seemed to be the place to start. I'd heard a bit of this and that. The Pogues, The Dropkick Murphys, but these guys seemed to stand out. This is the first CD of theirs I've purchased but it won't be the last.

This is one of the rare releases I own where I like every song on it. I can listen to it start to finish and each time I'll be amazed at what I'm hearing. The songs are great. The musicianship is great. The recording/ production are great. Everyone involved seemed to know what was going on. Be it fast and heavy or slow and light, everyone handles their part of the song with total understanding. For my money there isn't a weak moment on this entire CD.

I'm continually amazed at how they can put lighter acoustic instruments such as the tin flute, fiddle and acoustic guitar next to electric guitars, bass and butt-kicking drums and have such a homogeneous sound. And they do it with ease. As I mentioned, I like the songwriting a lot. And I like the way the songs were arranged in their order. One flows into the other so one particular sound is not repeated back to back. The proceedings are broken up nicely. I also like Dave King's vocals. That raspy voice of his can be picked out of a crowd. Though originality is no virtue in it's own right, his voice has the luxury of being unique and spot on in its relation to the rest of the music.

If this sort of thing is your poison then have at it. You won't be disappointed.

I downloaded this album today and I am astonished by it's fire, passion, and energy. It's a great listen and the price is far less than this music is worth. I was looking at bands coming to play at a local venue (The Music Farm), and FM is on the calendar. I was thinking, yes, they sound familiar, let me go hear a sample. I would not call this punk, but music that melodically and lyrically surpasses most punk; yet is more turf-kicking fresh than old Irish ballads warmed over. I am still a huge fan of the Clash, and listened to Black Flag and Dead Kennedys back in the day. I like White Stripes and Radiohead (alt/indie etc.), classic blues and hard-bop and fusion jazz, so I am all over the map. Don't care too much for country, bluegrass, or weepy folk.

"Float" is original, with excellent, thoughtful lyrics. The musicians are all very good, and very tight, and can do a whole lot more than play fast. Their speed is breathtaking on some of these tracks. The lead singer's voice is wonderful, and like Tom Waits, can be melodic yet gruff at the same time. The main thing that appeals to me in a singer is the honest expression of feeling, which is one of the reasons I like blues and jazz so much. Flogging Molly's lead singer expresses rage, loneliness, lust, nostalgia, and bravado, to name a few.

I think this will be my new favorite album for a while, and I will certainly try to catch this show in December. I am now listening to it for the 3rd time already. The slower numbers just add to the depth of the album, and show the range they are capable of. They will rev you up or break your heart - maybe both at the same time.

Also downloaded the Pogues If I Should Fall from Grace with God today. Somehow I missed hearing them the first time around. Never too late to become a fan.

I am a long time fan so that needs to be said up front.

This album is great. They are just getting better and better. The lyrical aspects of the songs are just as profound as the musical aspects. I love that this band blows me through the roof while at the same time they make me feel through the arrangement of the songs and through the lyrics.

They have all improved as musicians and in how they arranging their music on thier albums. It totally shows on this album.

***And they are just SOOO freaking tight live. That comes from their constant touring and playing live music. GO FM. Thanks for all the hard work.

These guys just kick A** and that's it.