Released in the U.S. in 2000, The Singles Collection: 1996-1997 isn't a best-of CD. Rather, the 24 songs on this good to excellent collection fall into two main categories: singles from 1996 and 1997 (which had been out of print in the U.S.) and previously unreleased live recordings. For punk lovers, the release of this disc was cause for celebration; those early singles (which came out on small indie labels like Cyclone, Flat, and Pogostick) had become hard to find, and they were too infectious and spirited to remain unavailable. Retro-punk items like "John Law," "Eurotrash," "Regular Guy," and "Barroom Hero" aren't innovative or groundbreaking, but they're definitely inspired and passionate. A throwback to the late '70s and early '80s, these 24 tracks are heavily influenced by the early British punk of bands like
the Clash and
Sham 69. In fact, the album contains live performances of no less than three Clash covers: "White Riot," "Career Opportunities," and "Guns of Brixton." But Dropkick Murphys have also been influenced by Irish rock, and traces of
the Pogues and
the Boomtown Rats find their way to some of the tracks. Occasionally, you'll hear a bagpipes solo on this CD, not exactly a typical punk instrument, but a nice way for the Bostonians to acknowledge the Scottish side of Celtic music. The Singles Collection: 1996-1997 isn't the last word on Dropkick Murphys, but if you're getting into the band for the first time, it's one of the places to start. ~ Alex Henderson