When the Ruffians released their EP Together For Christmas, I was at the point where I was ready to take down the next person who dared to play "Silent Night" at me. (Not to mention those who claim It's a Wonderful Life as their favorite movie; they're in mortal danger at all times of the year.) So what a blessed relief it was to hear "Christmas in Killarney" the Ruffians' way. Punk-rock Christmas, yeah!

Of course, that experience left me tapping my feet (with impatience this time) for the next release from these New York tough guys, never questioning that it would rock.

Sort of it does, in a flat, under-edited sort of way. It's unquestionably a live CD, as all the background noise confirms. I bet the show itself was hard-core, totally. But this "official bootleg" comes off sounding like something someone with a tape recorder in his pocket and unsophisticated recording technology at home might distribute on the Internet. Bootleg for sure.

It starts off with the more punk than palatable "My True Love." Whomever she is, she'll never be able to find her name in these mush-mouth lyrics. The third track, "Moving On," I've grown to kind of like with its catchy arrangement of mouth music. I'm a little afraid to promote it, though, because I suspect that somewhere in there, some particularly nasty things might be said. So don't hold me to account for anything you might decipher.

"Dirty Old Town" is not the song you think it is. Or, it might be, but unrecognizable to those of us who have previously heard a much folksier version. So either don't be disappointed when it isn't what you thought, or just enjoy this new arrangement. There's no Pogue in track 10's "Fall From Grace" either, just so you know.

I'm disappointed, but I'm not holding this CD against them. Live recording, even at this venerated locale, might not have been the best choice, but there's real talent in this band. Even without the benefit of studio editing it's clear they can play, and their shows have got to be wild. It's the kind of music that makes you want to find a mosh pit quick, and maybe it's partly a lack of bodies to surf that's missing here. No doubt I'll be scoping their website and watching for tour dates; I'd like to see what they can do with a crowd.

Meanwhile I'm wearing my promo t-shirt (ah, the benefits of being press!) and holding out for their next offering. I'm confident they can win me back.