Can anyone say Mall Rat??

I got this sampler at the Real McKenzies show, the sampler is a good idea, but 2 out of the 4 bands on the sampler just don’t really work for me. Tracks 1 and 2 are from the no-good, power-popping Mad Caddies. The only half-decent thing is the horns, and I’ll leave it at that. Tracks 3 and 4 are from Chicago’s Rise Against, which is pretty good for what it is – A melodic punk band who are always on tour. I’ve been told these guys are straight edge, so touring with the ever-so-drunk Real McKenzies must be a total blast for those guys!! Ha! Which brings me to the best band on the sampler by a fucking mile. The Real McKenzies have a new album coming out May 20th, it’s going to be called “Ooot & Aboot”. A great title that contains two choice words that every single American uses to make fun of that Canadian accent. One song from the new album is “Get Lost” and sounds like Fat Mike from NOFX may have been involved. In fact I know he was.(He is always saying The Real Mac’s are the best live band he has ever seen!) It’s fast, & catchy, and I like it, but where’s the bagpipes guys? Track 6 is “Lassie/Roamin’ in The Gloamin” from 2001’s “Loch’d & Loaded”. The last two tracks are from The Flipsides and pretty much sounds like Green Day. Not much more to comment on after a Green Day comparison. I’ve got a great idea for the next Fat Wreck Chords Sampler/Tour. Keep The Real McKenzies on the bill, give the Mad Caddies, & Flipsides, the boot. Add some Swingin’ Utters, maybe even some old Propagandi, or Sick Of It All.

May 2003

Review by Brian “anti-emo” Gillespie