Record Label: BYO Records
Genre: Folk Punk
Band Link: link
Buy on Amazon.com link

In 2005, the Filthy Thieving Bastards released a nifty lil’ album called “My Pappy was a Pistol” and now they are back with a somewhat sequel to that album called “I’m A Son of a Gun.” It took awhile for “My Pappy..” to grow on me, but I think this album is a lot better. FTB started out as a side project for Johnny Bonnel, Darius Koski, and Spike Slawson of Swingin’ Utters. They released an EP and an a full-length, and then four years later released “My Pappy was a Pistol.” Who knew the band would record 4 albums. I certainly wasn’t expecting this many albums since I thought it was just a one time thing. If you’re curious to what Filthy Thieving Bastards sound like (if you never heard them); they play a mixture of folk, country, punk, and 60’s acoustic pop. They pretty much sound like Swingin’ Utters but playing acoustic guitars around a campfire…drunk off their asses.

Just like the previous album, Spider Stacy of the Pogues guest stars on the album. You can hear his cool whistle playing on the very first track “Phony Drunken Poet.” You’ll be whistling along to that song in no time. Well, at least I was doing that. I think that’s the best track on the album by the way. Not sure why, I just think so and you all know I’m always right. Right!? The songs this time sound more together, and just freakin’ good! I thought the last album had too many sloppy slow songs. This album, there’s more upbeat folk punk songs that people will dig. One song that stands out from me is the track “Down Every Day.” It sort of has a Johnny Cash’s “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” beat to it and I love it. To me, each songs sounds different and it sounds like the band put a lot of effort into making this album. The more and more I listen to “I’m a Son of a Gun,” the more I love it. This album is a must-have for any FTB/Swingin’ Utters fan!

Bottom Line: Probably the best album from these bastards!
Notable Tracks: Phony Drunken Poet, When the Wallflowers Wilt, Bring Me Back, Down Every Day, Dumb Dead Goats
Overall Rating: