The split EP has long been used as a promotional tool in the punk world, especially for young unknown bands looking for a way to cheaply release their material. However, for a band like the Dropkick Murphys to take part in one is rather odd, at least at this stage of their careers. To me, the Murphys are on the brink of breaking in a huge way. They might even be more popular in Boston than the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, an unheard of status since about 1995.

Face to Face, meanwhile, has been around for a while themselves. I know they have a decent following in this area, although to be honest, I'm not familiar at all with them. Each band has 3 songs on this EP, and they don't bother screwing around at all.

So what the hell does that have to do with Kay Hanley? Who IS Kay Hanley? Two very good questions, and I suppose now is as good as time as any to answer both.

Hanley used to be the lead singer for the now broken up Letters to Cleo. She proceded to be the real singing voice in Josie and the Pussycats, and she is currently working on her debut solo album, due to be released this summer. Luckily, she got together with the Murphys in December to record a song that appears here, called The Dirty Glass, which is the first song that appears on the Murphys half of this EP.

This song is angry and bitter, but Hanley's angel-like voice makes this song sound every bit the Irish folk song it's supposed to sound like when it begins. Of course, as we all know, most times the Murphys make things rock and this song is no exception, although only in parts. I love this song, and it's so good to hear Hanley singing again, and not as part of some fake band for a movie.

Next up is the Murphy's cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's Fortunate Son, a song that isn't so much reinterpreted as it is sped up. Some might say this song sounds sacreligious given the mighty support of the "war on terrorism" but I think it's message is still resonant and important. That, and let's face it, the song just plain kicks a*s.

The final song from the Irish punkers is 21 Guitar Salute, the type of energetic working man anthem that the Murphys have made a career out of. It's fast and simple but as usual with this band, it's fun to shout along to, and let's face it, that's all that really matters.

The Face to Face half of the EP is impressive. At first listen it's your basic punk music, but upon repeated listenings, you start to see it as a bit more. They aren't a great band, but they aren't half bad.

Fight or Flight begins the record and I like the guitar tones used throughout the song and it drives forward with intensity and desire, a quality sorely lacking in most punk music today.

Face to Face then bears tribute to the Murphys with a cover of Road of the Righteous. This is pretty much a throw away track, as it doesn't differ much from the original at all and unlike the Murphys cover, it's not like the original has gotten so old that hearing it a new way makes it sound fresh again.

The last track is called Wasted Life, a song that crunches and rocks hard. It's most definitely a cover (the liner notes say it was written in 1979) but I'm not sure who did it originally. It most certainly sounds like an early Clash song. Either way, it's fun, lots of it.

This EP isn't the greatest thing to come down the pike, but it does serve as a fabulous intro to Face to Face, and it should also help tide Dropkick Murphys fans over until a new full length album is ready for release. And if you do like this, I strongly recommend the Murphys 2001 release, Sing Loud, Sing Proud, and for a bit of a different flavor, but with the same Irish influence, Flogging Molly's 2000 release Swagger.



Recommended: Yes