The Early Years cover

The Early Years

Dropkick Murphys · 1998

43 min · 19 tracks · Celtic punk

A raucous blend of punk energy and Celtic folk melodies that captures Boston's working-class spirit.

Why this album works

'The Early Years' helped propel Dropkick Murphys into the spotlight within the punk scene, contributing to the resurgence of interest in Celtic influences in rock music. The album's blend of live recordings and studio tracks received positive reviews, solidifying their reputation and paving the way for future success with subsequent albums.
Best for
short bursts of infectious energy live tracks capturing raw enthusiasm for pre-game hype
Context
Released in 1998, 'The Early Years' is a compilation album marking Dropkick Murphys' emergence in the Celtic punk scene. It showcases their formative sound during a time when they were gaining traction following their debut album, 'Do or Die', and solidifies their identity as a powerful voice for the Irish-American community in Boston.
Stylistic neighbors
Flatfoot 56· The Dreadnoughts· Flogging Molly

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 John Law 2:15
  • 2 Regular Guy 1:54
  • 3 Career Opportunities (live) 1:53
  • 4 Take It or Leave It 2:02
  • 5 Boys on the Docks Standout 2:30
  • 6 In the Streets of Boston 1:15
  • 7 Caps and Bottles 2:40
  • 8 Euro Trash 1:39
  • 9 Front Seat 2:28
  • 10 Denial 2:21
  • 11 Bill's Bones 2:04
  • 12 Cadence to Arms (live) 2:26
  • 13 Do or Die (live) 1:49
  • 14 In the Streets of Boston (live) 1:16
  • 15 Caps and Bottles (live) 2:31
  • 16 Guns of Brixton (live) 2:34
  • 17 Boys on the Docks (live) 2:46
  • 18 Skinhead on the MBTA (live) 4:53
  • 19 I've Had Enough (live) 1:41

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata