The Meanest Of Times
by Dropkick Murphys
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    These Boston Punk-folksters owe a large musical debt to Irish punk-folksters the pogues. But if that's not a problem for Pogues singer Spider Stacy, then it's fine by us, given the gloriously raucous, hook-heavy nature of '(F)lannigan's Ball.' [21 Sep 2007, p.81]
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  2. Alternative Press
    80
    The Dropkick Murphys don't fuck with a good thing on The Meanest Of Times. [Oct 2007, p.156]
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  3. musicOMH.com
    80
    The Meanest of Times is a lyrically dense album, but in spite of it all Dropkick Murphys know how to turn a wake in to a party.
  5. Spin
    80
    The Meanest Of Times moves beyond connecting the dots between working-class punk and ancient Celtic ditties, with surprisingly thoughful songs that explore lives shaped by drunken violence and Catholicism. [Oct 2007, p.100]
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  6. Boston Globe
    80
    Meanest is everything you want in a Murphys record and a great inauguration for the band's newly minted indie label, Born & Bred Records.
  7. Rolling Stone
    70
    They're also songwriters--and good ones, too, preserving their party-boy reputation while turning out giant, soulful choruses on songs both manicured and memorable.
  8. PopMatters
    50
    The band sounds re-energized here, and while the quality of the songs is very up and down, they at least all have their muscle back.
  9. Stylus Magazine
    50
    Ultimately, The Meanest of Times stumbles when the folksy frayed stitching is torn away, exposing nothing but atrophied punk muscle.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 2 out of 23
  1. JamesM.
    Nov 2, 2007
    3
    GOD! I hate idiot uses who abuse user vote and only vote either 10 or zero. I don't have a problem if people like this album. I GOD! I hate idiot uses who abuse user vote and only vote either 10 or zero. I don't have a problem if people like this album. I don't mind it, I find many of the songs exciting an innovative... but this album is not a 10. Illiniose, In rainbows, figure 8... these are 10's. Don't fool youselves by voting so highly on such a mediocore album. It's insulting to real music.… Full Review »
  2. axelkoch
    Oct 1, 2012
    6
    I really approve their style, but the album is too unvaried. Some songs like 'The State Of Massachusetts", "Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya", "GodI really approve their style, but the album is too unvaried. Some songs like 'The State Of Massachusetts", "Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya", "God Willing" or "Vices And Virtues" really kick ass, but most of the rest is not that special. But still, the genre they built up is very cool and I would definitely check their hit songs out, also if you don't miss much if you don't listen to the whole album.… Full Review »
  3. RemyC.
    Mar 30, 2008
    10
    This is a very good CD and the Dropkick Murphys are a great band that give great cd's all the time
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