The Real McKenzies – ‘Beer & Loathing’ (2020)
Rating: 8/10
Release: 3 July 2020
Label: Fat Wreck Chords
The Real McKenzies have always been consistent in putting out great music. I was looking forward to the release of Beer and Loathing and I was not disappointed. Another great album from the group. Starting with the bagpipes of “A Widows Watch”, the band delivers a great mix of Scottish rock and punk. The album is workman like in its songs.Each has a nice punk feel and great vocal delivery. The album is over quickly and if I have a downer it is that its too short. Songs like the traditional ,”Cock up you Beaver”,break up the faster tracks and make the listening experience more enjoyable. The first single,”Big foot Steps”, is a great song with a great video its classic fun and punk with a folk feel.The album follows the formula mostly and it does take a few listens to appreciate the nuances of the songs. Big choruses and guitar acrobatics make the album very enjoyable and the lyrics take time to grow on you but when they do you’ll be singing these songs in your head for days. “Big Foot Steps”,”36 Barrels and “The Cremation of Sam McGee”, are personal favorites but fans of this type of music will find much to like with every track. “Whose Child is This”,features bagpipes and guitars in a great big slab of Scottish rock energy and the already mentioned”Cremation of Sam McGee” delivers one of the best story songs I’ve heard lately. Overall its a great release by a great band. I confess it took me a few listens to fully appreciate it and it is too short but despite that I recommend giving it a spin and also checking out the bands back catalog. All of their releases are very good.
Tracklist
- A Widow’s Watch
- Overtoun Bridge
- Big Foot Steps
- Beer & Loathing 02:38
- Cock Up Your Beaver
- Nary Do Gooder
- Death Of The Winnpeg Scene
- 36 Barrels
- Whose Child Is This
- The Ballad of Cpl Hornburg
- The Cremation Of Sam McGee
- A Seafarer’s Return