The Dropkick Murphys’ 11 Short Stories Of Pain & Glory was the second-best selling current album last week according to Billboard. The band’s ninth album bowed in at #8 on the all-inclusive Billboard Top 200. After nine albums, Dropkick Murphys are attracting some of the best reviews of their illustrious career. Stereogum named 11 Short Stories Of Pain & Glory their album of the week.
There’s a feeling of purpose throughout the album, influenced by the band’s work with The Claddagh Fund, a charity the band established in 2009 to help support addiction recovery as well as children’s and veterans’ organizations. The band is hands-on in raising funds, mentoring, and lending a helping hand with veterans, youth sports, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Many of the songs reflect these experiences, and the band’s sadness, anger and dismay at the opiate epidemic ravaging the country — in particular, Boston and New England — and also their feeling of pride and optimism at the sight of those who have turned their lives around.
Tickets are on sale now for Dropkick Murphys’ 11 Short Stories Of Pain & Glory Tour, which kicks off with a sold out show February 21 at Sands Casino in Bethlehem, PA, and culminates with the band’s annual hometown run of Boston shows St. Patrick’s Day Week (March 15-19), which includes Agganis Arena and three nights at House of Blues.
Find the album, along with limited edition CDs & vinyl, on the band’s official webstore.
