Reviewed by Jeremy Williams

Led by a brotherhood of wide-eyed Irish giants, and cominatcha like a punk rock ceilidh, Flatfoot 56 need to be heard to be believed. They wear kilts and flat caps onstage, play bagpipes and mandolins, and despite this, they're an established and respected band on the Chicago scene. Punk rock and Celtic folk are not mutually exclusive genres of course, as those familiar with Dropkick Murphys or Flogging Molly will know, but make an energetic Rancid meets The Pogues cross-breed. You might not get it. It's not for everyone. But if you do get it, it'll make you want to wave a flag, punch the air and chant 'Oi! Oi! Oi!' like a lunatic. This is Flatfoot 56's second album for Flicker Records, a relentless burst of frenetic anthems with an uncompromising challenge - "Standing for nothing, you'll fall for anything" they holler on "Standing For Nothing". This and "City On A Hill" sum up their message, that we all need to choose who we're going to follow.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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