the real mckenzies / albums

247,666 plays
46 SHARES
85 FAVS
19 fans

- 10,000 Shots
- - 72,903 plays
  - 30 favs
  - 17 shares
The Real McKenzies
Released 2005

Pour Decisions
02:37
8,439 plays

Smokin' Bowl
03:05
8,046 plays

Farewell To Nova Scotia
02:09
7,277 plays

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songs

- 1
- Smokin' Bowl
- 03:05
- 8,046 plays

- 2
- Best Day Until Tomorrow
- 02:46
- 5,950 plays

- 3
- Will Ye No Come Back Again?
- 01:59
- 4,954 plays

- 4
- Pour Decisions
- 02:37
- 8,439 plays

- 5
- I Hate My Band
- 02:16
- 4,883 plays

- 6
- Farewell To Nova Scotia
- 02:09
- 7,277 plays

- 7
- Bugger Off
- 02:02
- 6,092 plays

- 8
- 10,000 Shots
- 02:20
- 5,310 plays

- 9
- 13
- 02:38
- 5,338 plays

- 10
- The Skeleton And The Tailor
- 02:03
- 4,121 plays

- 11
- Comin' Thro' The Rye
- 01:38
- 4,426 plays

- 12
- The Ale Is Dear
- 01:22
- 4,102 plays

- 13
- The Catalpa
- 03:02
- 3,965 plays

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album review

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 the McKenzies from similarly hybridist groups like Dropkick Murphys or Flogging Molly. They're looser, more ragged, maybe a little less reverent. It's not that McKenzie 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 Fat Mike and NOFX, there's a rambling, rapid-fire sense of humor to the Real McKenzies' 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," and "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, All Music Guide