If the Dropkick Murphys came from the deep and dirty south, decided that they would like to try their hand at a punk/rock and roll/pop-punk crossover, and lost any hilariously tenuous connections to nations that they claim to be close to (yet comically snub due to money issues when touring…), they may sound halfway towards the general cacophony that Born To Lose knock out.
You can see all manner of influences in their sound, from stuff like Bad Religion and AC/DC through to much more contemporary artists (some songs can sound like a severely off centre version of The Bronx, except with massively bigger focus on ‘huge sounding’ production and mini guitar solos).
You sit through this nodding your head and thinking “Yep, not bad” and then, before you know it, you’re on track 8. I’d happily nod along to it in a dingy club or bar, but I wouldn’t remember it afterwards; nothing sticks out. Whether that’s a direct criticism of their music or their amalgamation of so many styles that you get a bit lost, I’m not sure. Essentially, this is so middle of the road that you’re sat on a white line. The problem for Born To Lose is that the paint on said road dried a good while ago. The endearing honesty that shines through, though (especially with the raucously brilliant chorus in ‘Bitter Streets’; indicative of their capability to produce a much more accomplished anthemic punk rock sound – something they should seriously consider), ensures they receive a score that sits in the upper half of our bracket.