The album was produced by frontman Larry Kirwan. It dispensed with some of the stylistic range found on previous albums, focusing more on the Irish aspects of the group's sound; one song is sung in Gaelic.[6][7]
"Rory" is a tribute to the late Rory Gallagher.[8] "Green Suede Shoes" is a semi-autobiographical song about a rock band; Kirwan later used the title for his autobiography.[9][10]
The Knoxville News Sentinel called the album "a rehash of the Black 47 shtick," writing that Kirwan "becomes ludicrous with his overdramatic storytelling."[13] The Chicago Tribune wrote that the band "again adorns its rousing tales of political martyrs and working-class louts with Celtic flourishes, reggae rhythms and punchy hard rock."[16]The Santa Fe New Mexican noted that the band "is often put down as a watered-down Pogues," but praised "Forty Deuce" as "a chilling story about modern Irish-American gangsters."[17]
The Indianapolis Star stated that "Black 47 blends more styles of music than perhaps any other band out there today... But it works."[12] The Los Angeles Times thought that "Kirwan brings a theatrical literacy and creativity to the table ... tales deal with the larger than life, the idealistic rather than the hedonistic."[18]USA Today concluded that, "unlike many pop prophets, the band conveys its agenda in keen storytelling and intoxicating tunes."[15]
AllMusic wrote that "the band cooks simply and mightily, goosing the traditional jigs and reels that make up most of its melodic repertoire with R&B, hip-hop and reggae riddims."[11]Dave Thompson called the album "a neglected classic, the Pogues go posh."[19]
^ abSlosarek, Steve (29 Nov 1996). "Black 47 'Green Suede Shoes'". The Indianapolis Star. p. F7.
^ abCampbell, Chuck (15 Nov 1996). "'Green Suede Shoes', Black 47". Knoxville News Sentinel. p. T10.
^MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 113.
^ abGundersen, Edna (28 Jan 1997). "Black 47, Green Suede Shoes". USA Today. p. 8D.
^Reger, Rick (15 Nov 1996). "Black 47". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 55.
^Terrell, Steve (14 Mar 1997). "Terrell's Tune-Up". Pasatiempo. The Santa Fe New Mexican. p. 35.
^Seigal, Buddy (30 Nov 1996). "No Paint-by-Numbers: Black 47 Prides Itself on Creating a Unique, Theatrical Blend of Politically Inspired, Irish-Tinged Rock". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 2.
^Thompson, Dave (December 22, 2000). Alternative Rock. Hal Leonard Corporation.