Dropkick Murphys: Ken Casey (vocals, bass guitar); Al Barr (vocals); Marc Orrell (guitar, banjo, accordion, background vocals); James Lynch (guitar, background vocals); Tim Brennan (acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin, tin whistle, accordion, background vocals); Scruffy Wallace (bagpipe); Matt Kelly (drums, background vocals).

Personnel: Ronnie Drew, Spider Stacy (vocals); Rick Barton (guitars); Tim Weed, John Kingsley, Chris Baum, Armand Aromin, Andy Reiner (violin); Mike Calabrese, Keith Dickerhofe, Halley Feaster (cello); Jeni Maga¤a, Matthew Edwards (double bass); Eric Baird (sampler, sequencer).

Additional personnel: Tallent (bagpipe); Danny Lynch, Mark Carey (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Jim "the Hammer" Siegal.

You don't have to be Irish to enjoy the hardscrabble Celtic punk of Dropkick Murphys. Something of an institution in their hometown of Boston, the band has steadily integrated more and more Pogues-style shamrock folk into their sound. THE MEANEST OF TIMES finds them increasingly comfortable with the mix of classic Boston Hardcore swagger (a la local legends like DYS and Slapshot) and traditional Irish acoustic instruments. What could be a gimmick in lesser hands works well for the veteran band and results in punk rock style that several generations of sodden Irishmen could easily enjoy together.

Rolling Stone (p.96) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[They are] songwriters -- and good ones, too, preserving their party-boy reputation while turning out giant, soulful choruses..."

Rolling Stone (p.116) - Included in Rolling Stone's "50 Top Albums of the Year 2007".

Spin (p.99) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[W]ith surprisingly thoughtful songs....The brute fury of 'Shattered' alone provides reason enough to listen up."

Entertainment Weekly (p.81) - "[T]he bulk of the album consists of frenetic toe-tappers, such as the opener, 'Famous for Nothing'..." -- Grade: B+

Alternative Press (p.156) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Famous for blending East Coast hardcore with whiskey-scorched Celtic folk, Beantown's favorite sons predictably make sure both are well represented..."

Kerrang (Magazine) (p.47) - "[T]hey yet again deliver the goods with interest -- 16 tracks, each yielding massive hooks, Celtic-themed majesty and dazzling dual vocal interplay."