After just one listen to State of Grace it becomes very apparent that head Street Dog Mike McColgan has reached a point where his outlook on life has changed considerably. Musically the former frontman for the Dropkick Murphys is still one of the best at getting rowdy as he demonstrates here with "Rebel Song" and a cover of the Skids' "Into the Valley." But gone are the songs that scream "we're Irish" just for the sake of a raised glass.
Many of the songs here deal with mortality; "Kevin J. O'Toole" is about McColgan's late uncle, "Elizabeth" is about his late grandmother and "The General's Boombox" is about deceased punk legend Joe Strummer.
Having served in Iraq and as a Boston firefighter/EMT has no doubt given McColgan more opportunity to come face to face with death than any man should have to endure; it's no wonder that the lyrical focus of this album is a showing of love for departed family and friends.
The title song "A State of Grace" is a prayer for inner peace; McColgan's hope for himself and everyone else that personal conflict disappears before the move to the great beyond.
Don't get the idea though that this album is a buzzkill because of its main topic. McColgan has toned down the music just a little to make sure that his tributes are heard but overall State of Grace is a celebration, like a wake.
Go ahead and smile and knock a few back---just don't forget why you're here. The album appropriately ends with "Free," a quiet reflection sung to acoustic guitar and mournful harmonica.
