I have two of Amazon’s MP3 playlists with Flatfoot 56 MP3’s loaded onto them, so you can take a listen before downloading.

Here’s Flatfoot 56’s Knuckles Up MP3s:

And here’s Flatfoot 56’s Jungle of the Midwest Sea Mp3’s:

I love my cds, so I sincerely hope you enjoy your Flatfoot 56 Mp3’s.

From the first time I heard JD & The Longfellows’ first CD Confessions!, I was in love. I played that CD over and over again. Now the ‘fellows are back with Happy Hour Again.

This album isn’t just more of the same (though I’d have been fine with that too), the songs all have the JD undertone to tie it all together, but many of the songs lean toward other genres. As most of the band members are also part of other bands, some songs seem to be almost showcasing each member’s style.

The title track, Happy Hour Again!, has a distinctly honky tonk feel, while Revenge is a delicious dichotomy of one part bluegrass and one part elegance, and Sweet Drinks is completely unclassifiable.

Fans of the original album may not transition well over to HHA with the variety of styles, but HHA does have a strong potential to bring in new fans who may not normally venture out of their musical comfort zones.

In particular, I love the humor of the lyrics from Zombie Love, while Clare Portman’s soul voice just enhances the jazzy feel of the song. Zombie Love in particular could be a single; I’d love to hear that on the radio!

The Longfellows haven’t totally abandoned their original sound. Stereotypical Night, Welcome To The Morning After, and Last Cigar are a perfect extension of Confessions!.

Of course, as with Confessions!, the songs aren’t just a rousing good tune to drink to. Most people with dreams, particularly dreams that are achievable with a lot of work and a bit of luck, will completely relate to One Night Only, in particular this part of the chorus “I curse my dreams/For as good as they seem/They keep me awake at night”.

JD may have Sold [His] Soul For Moonshine, but he got a great new album thrown into the bargain.

Like most of my favorite Celtic punk bands, I first heard The Skels on Shite ‘n Onions on Live365. After hearing Have A Drink Ya’ Bastards I decided that I absolutely had to have at least one of their CDs. It took a few months for me to get around to actually ordering it, but I finally got my copy of Any Port In A Storm, and I love it! The Skels are a perfect blending of Celtic tradition and modern (but not pop) punk. All the songs on this disc are original, and packed with attitude.Chris Freid’s lead vocals are not what you would call smooth. But I love it. Not only his voice, but his attitude suits the band’s punchy music straight down to the ground. I can’t imagine their sound with anyone else in the lead.

I don’t know how the songs are written (individually, collectively, drunk, sober), but the lyrics always crack me up either with their humor or their audacity, and the music itself always makes me want to get up and dance. Wild and drunken style dancing, but dance nevertheless.

I should say that most of The Skels’ songs give me a much appreciated shot of energy. Come Hell Or High Water is actually a beautiful song, calm and wistful. A song like this in a more traditional Celtic band could make a name for the singer.

This isn’t the best cd to play if you’re at work, unless your co-workers are fairly easy going. I can guarantee you that if there’s a prim and proper person nearby, the first thing they’ll hear is the line “balls to your partner, your ass against the wall” (Pauper’s Grave). I can’t tell you how many times it’s happened to me.

If you already love bands in the Celtic Punk genre, absolutely give them a try.  If you’re fairly new to the genre, take a listen first.  This ain’t no wishy-washy won’t-offend-anyone kind of band.

For a quick taste of the Skel’s music, click here for their MySpace page. Currently, you can even listen to Pauper’s Grave which is my current favorite of their songs.

Or, better yet! Download the MP3s from Amazon: