If you’re big on the Boston punk scene, you’ll want to grab this. Right from the start, these guys throw
you a CD that’s fun, rowdy, and just basically awesome. Their sound is obviously reminiscent of the Dropkick
Murphys, sans pipes; and it’s got those catchy guitar hooks and the same kind of gritty vocals.
It is totally worth it if you do check it out.
- from Wreck the Place.com June 2006
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In an age where too many cookie-cutter emo kidz and Hot Topic-oriented mall-punk groups are slowly
overpopulating the punk scene like kudzu choking out the native greenery, bands like The Blue Bloods are more
than welcome. They seem almost necessary. Proudly older and wiser than the average teenage punk band, though
still gleefully immature enough to spit out a line like "this one's for you, you fuckin' whore" in the
unapologetic "Drink Too Much," The Blue Bloods are an old-fashioned pre-hardcore street punk act. Echoes
of earlier bands are obvious; specifically, Tim Baxter's raspy shout of a voice sounds more than a little
like Social Distortion's Mike Ness, and the speedy two-guitar riffs recall any number of the second wave
of U.K. punk bands from the late '70s in the Sham 69 or Angelic Upstarts style. What makes Death of a
Salesman different is that there's a sense of honesty to this album that goes beyond the usual whiny emo
clichés or hoary "power to the people" street-punk slogans, so that a song like "Losing Streak" earns
its defiant shout-along chorus in the face of adversity. The Blue Bloods are also clearly unconcerned
with looking cool; one of the album's best tracks is a completely non-ironic cover of John Cougar
Mellencamp's "Authority Song" that strips the original of its callow teenage bravado and turns it into
a rebellious pure punk roar. Let's see Good Charlotte try that!
- from Stewart Mason, All Music Guide May 2006
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Retro-punk pure as the driven snow with a more heavy edge than typical Buzzcocks clones; the Blue Bloods
offer here 17 tracks of well-produced and hooky Ramones-ish slamdance well worth a listen or five. There
are plenty of punk rock bands slumming around Boston, of course, but few as deserving of whatever success
punks care about much more than these zoids.
- from Glide Magazine May 2005
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When a band graces its CD with a great cover, that band’s music had better at least equal the adorning cover.
Hailing from Boston, The Blue Bloods not only equalled their cover, they knocked the shyte out of it with their
insanely energetic punk rock, making me basically forget how much I love that great cover. The music runs along
the side of “anthem punk,” but doesn’t fall into the typically repetitive sound that victimizes most anthem punk
bands. Although there is a fair share of gang vocals and whoas sprinkled about to help get the blood pumping, The
Blue Bloods forge each song with its own sense of energy, charisma, and distinct sound. Bravo! To me, the driving
forces behind the songs are the guitars and lead vocals, while the drums and bass will thump your skull harder
than a disgruntled Los Angeles police officer. Gotta love team work. I do like all the songs, with the highlight
of the disc being Alec Baldwin’s verbiage from Glengarry Glen Ross introing Road Rage, which
seamlessly morphs into True West. Truly stunning. I’ve never seen these guys play live, but I’d expect
nothing less than a churning mass in front of the stage, with plenty of pumping fists-with a fork pitcher or
two thrown in- and an over abundance of sweaty, smelly arm pits.
- from Askew Reviews April 2005
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Judging by the band's name and the CD art, I sighed to myself and sent up a silent prayer to the patron saint of
such things to please at least let it sound like Bad Religion. And, because I've been a good guy lately, the
boon was granted. And I don't mean that The Blue Bloods are just BR knock-offs -- this is the goods, and if you
detect some Slapshot, Social D, and even some Black Flag, these guys aren't gonna bitch, but if I didn't
add the Dropkicks to the menu, I'd be remiss, so do with that what you will. Played tighter than the norm, more
imaginatively constructed songwriting, too, and all delivered face-punch serious. And extra points for the gang
vocals. I don't know if punk is dying or not, but this is a nice little zap of the paddles into its hardening
heart.
- from The Noise Magazine March 2005
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This is the follow up to their self-titled album (released in 2003). After that record, a lot of things happened to the Blue Bloods. A
European tour with Blood For Blood and Slapshot, a release on I Scream as well as on GMM -- and a name that will be remembered because
of their energetic live performances. These 17 tracks are street punk with rock and roll influences, comparable to label mates Ducky Boys and
earlier Dropkick Murphys. A CD that you put on and will give you a great Saturday night feeling. Isn’t that what a lot of Boston bands have in common?
There definitely is something in the chocolate milk, because this city delivers one after another good CD. This is a cd you have to put on and it will
overwhelm you. You have to feel it. I do. And fans of street punk certainly do. My favourites: “Left Out In The Cold”, “Nothing To Say” and “Fall From Grace”.
Guitars at knee height, full bottles of beer being thrown on the stage, a lot of ‘whoa’s sing alongs’ and smashed guitars; that is the Blue Bloods in a nutshell.
- from Rockezine Feb 2005
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Boston has kicked my ass very hard this past year. The amount of talent that stalks the streets there in various musical formats
is simply outrageous. I didn't take notice last time The Blue Bloods came around, but boy have they smacked me in the face with this
one! This is a real rock and roller caster with enough fury to kick your ass up and down the block. The Blue Bloods full throttle street rock attack
comes complete with catchy hooks and classic guitar picks. The passionate sing-a-long
choruses are a perfect compliment to the musical prowess of the instrumentalists. This album makes much of the hit parade pop punk
sound tired and redundant. The production is thick, the songs are instantly memorable, peppy and above all great. Old Dropkick Murphys
are an influence on the sound and attitude, but overall the rock registers are opened up entirely here. Take your records by The Jam,
The Bruisers, Social Distortion, UK Subs, The Clash, Bonecrusher and The Staggers and throw 'em in the air, The Blue Bloods are here!
- from Concreteweb Feb 2005
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