“Downtown Baghdad Blues” may have had a fun feel to it with the upbeat horns and guitars but in reality the song is about a service man who “didn’t want to come here” and “didn’t get to choose”.  This is a track worthy of checking out.  The storytelling is superb in accompany with some nice traditional Celtic rock.

Blues rocking “Sadr City” caught me off guard as it was a musical change up from previous tracks.  The song  “The Last One To Die” was interesting with more of an old ska tone to it.  The chilling “Battle Of Fallujah” was more personal about “dodging hell” and just being a soldier getting through the war. 

The depressing “Southside Chicago Waltz” closes the CD with a song about writing home and missing loved ones.  It is a love song at times and also a thought of the worst.  Mixed emotions on this track really create an unhappiness no one deserves to go through.

The CD had an effect on me.  After listening through the tracks I could not help but feel for the ones who feel trapped over there.  We all hope it will end soon and we all have different opinions about it.  This Irish-American band has put out the most unique protest album I have heard thus far.  Not all Irish music is intended to help get hammered on St. Patty’s Day.  In fact, this year if you celebrate St. Patty’s, take a moment and throw a toast up for the ones who are fighting overseas that deserve to come home.