Mixing punk attitude with Celtic folk music is nothing new, as the Pogues created and popularized the style decades ago. But the spirit of Shane MacGowan and company continues to live on, as evidenced by such bands as the Kissers, who originally started out as -- a Pogues cover band. Hailing from Madison, Wisconsin, the majority of the quintet's players juggle their time between several instruments each, and except for the drummer, all supply vocals. While the group's sophomore effort, 2005's Good Fight, treads the same ground musically as their debut (2003's Fire in the Belly), lyrically, the Kissers take some chances on the second go-round. Recalling the glory days of folk music when artists were not afraid to voice their political beliefs, such topics as the death penalty ("Pictures at an Execution"), war ("No War"), and a song influenced by the Howard Zinn-penned book, A People's History of the United States (the album opening "What They Can") are touched upon. And if listening intently to lyrics isn't your thing, no need to fear; such tracks as "Muirsheen Durkin," "Kicked in the Head," and "The Good Fight" offer fun and wild energy by the boatload. The Kissers offer Celtic rock that manages to be both thought-provoking and fun at the same time.
© Greg Prato /TiVo