The Hope

Release Date: October 15, 2021

Format: Digital & Physical

Location: Nottinghamshire, England

Band Members –

Ken Bonsall – Lead singer & acoustic guitar.

Dan Booth – Violin & lead vocals on some songs.

Johnny Edwards – Multi-instrumentalist.

Ryan Brooks – Guitar

John Alexander – Bassist

Alex Smith – Drummer

Favorite Tracks: Haul Away Joe, Pentrich Rising, Victims, Broken Soldier, The Hope, Exiled Life (The Chase), Khatyn, 1914, Born Under Punches, Punk Police, Slayed The Traveller, Parting Glass, and Mairi’s Wedding Pt 4

Sounds Like: The Tossers, Dropkick Murphys, Rumjacks, Gaelic Storm, Flogging Molly and The Pogues

CPRA is no stranger to great folk punk. We’ve covered so many greats over the years like, Bridge City Sinners, Days N’ Daze, Gogol Bordello, The Rumjacks, Flogging Molly and Frank Turner. Today is a great day as we get to review “The Hope” by Ferocious Dog. The last time we reviewed an FD album was way back in 2018 with the “Red Album”. Oh I did mention “The Hope” is currently charting it’s way to the top 20 in the UK!

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Ferocious Dog released “The Hope’ on October 15, 2021 to coincide with World Mental Health. This album is packed with amazing track after track. In fact no matter what I write I simply cannot give this album as much praise as it deserves. Let’s checkout some of my favorite tracks. The first killer track is “Haul Away Joe” an Irish traditional (sea shanty) cover. The accordion and violin set the scene for a beautiful yet haunting sea journey. As the song speeds up the bass and drums drive this track into a deep and powerful anthem.

I am a huge Celtic folk/punk fan. The fact that I’ve never heard this song before drives me a bit mad. With the research I conducted on this track. I’d say Ferocious Dog’s version is definitely my favorite cover. Next up is “Pentrich Rising”. It references the great labor revolution of 1817. This song will have you pumping your fist in unity, “A night for revolution, a night to fight, a call to arms in England, all workers must unite”. We need this all over the world right now!

The next track, “Victims” will have you running to join the pit. Not only is it a great follow up to “Pentrich Rising”, but it’s about staying united and fighting political corruption and slave wages. “Broken Soldier” is up next and will pull at those old heart strings. How many soldiers went off to war only to return as shadows of their former selves? Most of us born after America ended the draft will never know what a soldier goes through on the battlefield. So help out our vets instead of raising your nose.

My next favorite track is “The Hope”. Warning this song/video contains depictions of suicide or sucidial harm and may not be suitable for all listeners. On that note, this song will make you cry. We’ve all been there at some point in our lives. The intro piano starts our journey and also the welling of my tears. This song should be in the top charts across the world!

Let’s move on to, “Exiled Life (The Chase). This song speeds the record back up. It’s energy, it’s hope and everything we need in our lives. This track is catchy and fun. As punks we all lead an exiled life. We color our hair, we listen to unpopular music, we are all different from what society expects us to be. Instead of being ashamed, embrace this exiled life we have chosen. I wish someone would’ve taken the time with me to say, “It’s ok to be different and it’s ok to be just you”. If your likes and lives make you a happy person, stay the course.

So many good tracks on this so far! “Khatyn” is up next. The song references the 1943 Khatyn massacre. Per Wikipedia, “On 22 March 1943, almost the entire population of the village was massacred by the Schutzmannschaft Battalion 118 in retaliation for an attack on German troops by Soviet partisans.” We as a people can never let the atrocities the Nazi’s committed, happen ever again.

Let’s roll on. “1914” is a beautiful acoustic track about a soldier leaving to fight in World War I. “Born Under Punches” comes in swinging. This track is by far my favorite on the record. It’s fast, heavy, and relatable. Sometimes you can only rely on yourself. Now it’s time for some rock N roll with, “Punk Police”. We all know who the “Punk Police” are aka “The gatekeepers of punk music and subculture”. They will judge you for everything under the sun. Again I must reiterate Punk Rock Saves Lives motto,

Positivity

Unity

Nurture

Kindness

If you are one of these gatekeepers I think you will find out you have less “Real friends” than you think you do! “Slayed The Traveller” is next up and continues the speed of “Punk Police”. It’s energy will have you up and dancing away. Grab a good beer and turn this tune on! One of my favorite Scottish traditional songs is next and it’s the “Parting Glass”. Every time I hear this song. I cannot help, but shed a wee tear for those who’ve gone before me. Ferocious Dog’s version is now my favorite.

Get this on vinyl now! https://thehope.ferociousdog.co.uk/products/the-hope-deluxe-digipack

It’s time for another killer sea shanty with, “The Sea Shepherd”. This song is just plain fun which salutes the fine work the folks at The Sea Shepherd are doing. Pirates sure love their gold, but I think they love the ocean more and keeping it clean and poacher free. “Will You? (feat. Hazel O’Connor)” is a beautiful duet love song. I honestly didn’t expect this song and love it! Our final track is “ Mairi’s Wedding pt.4”. This is a solid way to end the record before going into the “1914 Reprise”.

After listening heavily to Ferocious Dogs “The Hope”. I can say with certainty that is my favorite record of 2021. “The Hope” is a clear winner. With tracks like, Haul Away Joe, Pentrich Rising, Victims, Broken Soldier, The Hope, Exiled Life (The Chase), Khatyn, 1914, Born Under Punches, Punk Police, Slayed The Traveller, Parting Glass, and Mairi’s Wedding Pt 4 this record keeps on giving and giving. If you’re facing uncertainty, need to smile, pay your respects, or just want a bit of craic. Put on “The Hope” now!

Be sure to pick this up on vinyl before the pre-orders close, https://thehope.ferociousdog.co.uk/

Track List