I initially heard this album through doing Music Staff for my campus radio station. At that time, what I heard was Mike McColgan attempting to relive his glory days in DKM. Eight months later, however, it’s quite apparent to me that while this doesn’t quite stand up to DKM’s Do Or Die, it does stand out in its own right. This is punk not so much for fans of DKM, but for the Ducky Boys. Somehow, though it manages to successfully combine the sound of DKM’s Blackout! and the Ducky Boys’ No Getting Out. Not quite Oi!, but nevertheless a good slice of PFR.
Rating: 4 / 5
This CD was given as a gift; the recipient is quite pleased with it and says that it should satisfy any true fan of punk (or punk revival) music.
Rating: 4 / 5
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.
I initially heard this album through doing Music Staff for my campus radio station. At that time, what I heard was Mike McColgan attempting to relive his glory days in DKM. Eight months later, however, it’s quite apparent to me that while this doesn’t quite stand up to DKM’s Do Or Die, it does stand out in its own right. This is punk not so much for fans of DKM, but for the Ducky Boys. Somehow, though it manages to successfully combine the sound of DKM’s Blackout! and the Ducky Boys’ No Getting Out. Not quite Oi!, but nevertheless a good slice of PFR.
Rating: 4 / 5
I am a huge fan of “Savin Hill” and I’ve been waiting patiently for “Back
To The World” [...] Anyways,
it is out now on Brass Tacks/DRT Entertainment (I actually got a promo
copy a few weeks ago). Anyways, I’m not as impressed with “Back To The
World” as I was with their previous effort. It isn’t as tough, it’s more
“Punk Lite” (less filling).
Some general remarks about “Back to The World”
-Mike’s vocals are at the forefront of the mix. Sometimes good but it
really hinders the album when the lyrics are weak.
-None of the songs totally suck. They each contain some really good
elements; but there are only a handful of songs where all of the elements
(music, lyrics, melodies) come together.
-Musically, the album is lacking variation. The guitar and bass work
sounds the same in about 80 percent of the songs. This would have been
okay for a few songs, but it makes the album sound like a collection of
b-sides and gets taxing torwards the end. For those of you with “Savin
Hill” think nine songs that sound just like “Declaration”. Yeah it is a
good song but not for a whole 30 minutes.
-Very polished, adds to the lack of variation.
-The drumming is fantastic.
Song by song play for “Back To The World”.
Strike A Blow – The guitar in the beginning is cool but the lyrics are
severely lacking. I’m really disappointed with this for an opening track,
it is very mediocre. Maybe I hold the Street Dogs to a higher level but I
was expecting that they would be above a song concerning “how the radio
doesn’t want to play us”.
You Alone – For the loners out there, this song is for you.
In Defense of Dorchester – Good music and group vocals (I’m a sucker for
songs with good sing-a-longs) on this one. Hokey lyrics and I don’t like
how Mike sings “Dooooooor-Cheeee-s-der”, when he hits the “der” it almost
hurts (The McColgan mafia will probably be after me for this comment).
Back To The World – Upbeat tune, good music and good group vocals in the
last minute of the song?but after hearing the power/passion that Mike put
into “Far Away Coast”, the lyrics in this song just sound so cheesy
especially for such a significant issue.
Tale of Mass Deception – Great lyrics. When I first downloaded this from
their website back in September, I loved the lyrics but not so much the
music. The accordion didn’t do it for me, I would have preferred a
straight acoustic guitar number. I have to say that the accordion has
really grown on me. Best song on the album after-Drink Tonight.
Drink Tonight – Yeah baby. How do you make a huge old-tyme hardcore tune…
Throw in some guest vocals from Blood for Blood, that’s what you do. Best
song on the album and the little kid at the end cracks me up.
Stagger – Starts of with a high polished electric reggae beat (think Clash
“Sandinista/Combat Rock” sound) but then kicks in. Adds some well needed
sound variation (if only in the intro). Lyrics are a wee like bree but the
melody of the chorus more than makes up for it.
White Collar Fraud – One of the stronger “Declaration” sounding songs.
It’s got a good beat and I can sing-a-long to it.
Patrick – It seems that during this song my brain turns the volume down
because it is all beginning to sound the same. Eyes are also glazing over.
Pull The Pin – This song has a great chorus that turns my brain volume
back-up (ever so slightly though). But after hearing 7 previous songs
that sound the same, it is still tiring.
Hands Down – Meaningful lyrics. Too bad the music is boring by this point.
Union and The Law – “Savin Hill” ended with an acoustic song about labor
and it worked really well there, so we’ll just do the same with this
album. Unfortunately, it just adds to the “b-side” psychosis of “Back To
The World”.
In conclusion, if they cut 5 songs, the Street Dogs could have had a good EP. But since they didn’t I did. Suggested song order if you
make your own: In Defense of Dorchester, You Alone, Tale of Mass
Deception, Drink Tonight, Stagger, White Collar Fraud, and Pull The Pin.
Rating: 1 / 5
This CD was given as a gift; the recipient is quite pleased with it and says that it should satisfy any true fan of punk (or punk revival) music.
Rating: 4 / 5
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.
Rating: 5 / 5
This is a really melodic punk rock album with good vocals.
No songs on it suck,way better than most crap coming out today.
Rating: 5 / 5