Street Dogs - Fading American dream

4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Folk/Punk.
For fans of: Dropkick Murphy’s, Any other Folk-political-punk-bands.

Fading American Dream the newest album from punk group Street Dogs is honestly one of the best CD’s I’ve ever had the pleasure to listen to. Fronted by former Dropkick Murphy’s vocalist Mike McColagan, whose New England accent adds a nice celt-punk sound to the tracks. The celt-punk sound is followed up by folk songs which are carried by mandolins, harmonicas, acoustic guitars, dobros, and organs.

Common people the first track of the CD tears right into the bands working class ethic lyrics in the chorus like “This is the battle cry for the common people./ The forgotten nowhere kids stuck in the middle./ Were singing this song for all of the common people./ Who’ve given up so much and got back so little./” show there feeling for the common people in America. It is clear that they have strong political ideas as well as social ideas; Final transmission is the story of a kid who signs up to the military for a college fund and falls in the line of duty. Sell your lies is another strong political song detailing how the government sell you lies through different media sources. Folk songs like Shards of life add a wonderful touch of depth to the album. The strongest songs on the CD come right at the end with tracks 9-13. Track 9, Rights to your soul is a song about a girl who has lost herself to heroin.

Street Dogs waste no time on getting to the point in there songs, which is a relief from all the metaphoric side of political punk nowadays. The CD can get a little repetitive in its pro-blue collar men and women feel. It is almost cheesy if you look at it all together, but the feeling of true sincerity make it a great listen. Once you give this CD a spin in your CD player it will never leave. 

Street Dogs official website - http://www.street-dogs.com/
Street Dogs Official myspace - http://www.myspace.com/streetdogs

Reviewed by: Tim Cavey | July 2007