Evidently,
Fat Mike
's a pretty big fan of
the Real McKenzies
. He signed them to
Fat Wreck
for 2005's
10,000 Shots
, and even played bass for most of the album under the alias "Fat McMichael." Other than their shifting lineup, though,
the McKenzies
remain largely unchanged from the sound of past records like
Oot & Aboot
or
Loch'd & Loaded
.
Shots
is full of revved-up Scottish
traditionals
and
revivalist punk
originals, and the endearingly gruff
Paul McKenzie
leads the way. The rousing
"Pour Decision"
puts bagpipes over
Social Distortion
rhythm guitar, and
Mike Ness
would certainly be happy with
McKenzie
's sentiment. "A punk musician just ain't as cute at 53," he sings. "I have forsaken money makin'/Yeah, you still wish you were me." It's this self-deprecating pride that separates
from similarly hybridist groups like
Dropkick Murphys
Flogging Molly
. They're looser, more ragged, maybe a little less reverent. It's not that
is less proud of his Scottish Canadian heritage, or less committed to old favorites like
"Farewell to Nova Scotia"
or songs set to the words of legendary Scottish bard
Robert Burns
. But like
NOFX
, there's a rambling, rapid-fire sense of humor to
' work, heard here in
"Bugger Off,"
say, or the good-natured slag
"I Hate My Band"
("They've cost me my dog, my job and my wife!").
Matt MacNasty
's bagpipe is particularly impressive over the melodic
hardcore
stutter of
"Skeleton and the Tailor,"
"Catalpa"
is acoustic with impressive harmony vocals and mandolin leads, while the punchy, triumphant
"Best Day Until Tomorrow"
dispenses some advice any grandmother from the old country would heartily endorse. "Enjoy what'chas got, not what you have not." ~ Johnny Loftus