Record Label: Abstract
Genre: Celtic
Band Link: www.myspace.com/neckireland
Buy on Amazon.com

London-based Neck is one of the many Celtic punk bands out there are heavily influenced by The Pogues and The Clash. Vocalist Leeson O’Keeffe is also formerly of Shane MacGowan and the Popes. Neck has been playing Celtic influenced punk rock for over 9 years now but this is their first album that has been released over in the United States. Come Out Fighting was released over in Europe last year but this officially streets February 12th 2010 in the USA.

I have heard Neck’s first or second album before and liked what I heard. But it’s been awhile since hearing that album or any other material from them. Come Out Fighting is the band’s 4th full length album and I think it’s their best to date! The opening & title track “Come Out Fighting” blasts things out fast, and is one of their better tracks on the album. Leeson’s vocals are distinct, the band plays furiously fast on a lot of the tracks and I love the whistle as well. Their cover of “Star of the County Down” could have been better though. I’ve heard a lot of better covers than that one. It sounds a bit clunky to me. But besides that one track, all the rest are great! Neck is a good example of a band that can play Celtic punk effectively. There are just so many bands out there in the States that try to do it, but I don’t think they do a decent job of playing the music.

If there’s another bonus to this album, it’s that Pat Collier (The Vibrators, The Wonderstuff) produced this album. Fans of The Pogues, Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys and The Dubliners will like Neck. I’m looking forward to future releases from the band and you should too!

Bottom Line: Neck gets better with each album that they release!
Notable Tracks: Come Out Fighting, Tink, I’ll Still Be Blue Over You
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