Customer Reviews

10,000 Shots

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have to say, this has to be the band's most impressive and venerable release to date, and may very well prove to be a musical milestone for the band. Now, before I go on, let me assure you, I'm not that easily impressed, having been involved in the music industry in one way or another for some 15 years, I've become somewhat jaded and aporetic regarding new music (especially from local talent) , and hence I'm rarely this enthusiastic about an album.
I've known The McKenzies for a long time and worked with them on a few occasions over the years, and although I've always enjoyed their music, there was never really any particular song that would be exalted enough to inspire me buy the whole album.... something that very few songs/bands have ever managed to attain. But after hearing the first few tracks, I knew this would be one of those albums that I actually would go out of my way to buy, if I didn't already have it.
So whats so great about this particular McKenzies recording, you may ask? ... well, pretty much everything! This is one of those rare albums that you listen to and not once do you get the urge fast forward to the next track. And almost* every song is arresting enough to make you want to listen to it again immediatley after it's done, starting with the first track, a tight yet smooth rendition of a Robbie Burns poem called "Smoking Bowl" ( I say almost because one track, another Burn's traditional "Coming Through The Rye" fails to impress me like the rest of the songs do, but then again, they didn't write it, so it's all good) .
It is immediatley apparent that Fatty McMichael (Fat Mike from NOFX, Fat Wreck Chords) is a major contributor to this album, not only in terms of the outstanding production, but also as he sneaks in some "Fat grooves" as the bass player on many of the tracks. That is not to say that the songs Fat Mike doesn't play on are any less momentous... infact, Little Joe ( formerly of Rich Kids on LSD) serves up some wicked bass on these tracks, most notably, during an instrumental with only drums, bass, and bagpipes (The Ale is Dear).
Anyway, I could go on and on about all the reasons you should check out this CD, but I know it's not neccessary. There is so much kick ass material on this album, I think everyone will find it hard to resist picking up a copy, and that includes those who have never listened to them before.

Now regarding the previous reviewer's comments:

A: Mr Paul McKenzie is Scottish and hence has every right to his accent, which probably sounds "put on" due to the fact that he drinks like a fish.
B: Bugger Off is a traditional so if the lyrics are lame, slam your ancestors for writing them.
C: Will ye no condemn others for speaking how they want to.
D: For a proud Scottish performer, drinking and entertaining does NOT get old, it just gets better like whiskey in a barrel.
E: Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but yours seem based on some friends' reaction to hearing something they don't relate to. If your friends were slamming the album, they are probably too young to get it, just as Good Charlotte and Green Day will never get what it means to be punk.

If you are a McKenzies fan then you will not be disappointed by this CD. It leads off with the song "Smokin' Bowl" and it was with the one song I knew I wouldn't be dissappointed. Of course, how can you be with these Canadian, kilt-wearing, punks?
With songs like "I Hate My Band" "10,000 Shots" and "Bugger Off" and lines that are throw backs to Monty Python- "I used to be a lumberjack, and I'm okay with that/ I wore suspenders, little panties and a bra" ("Pour Decisions")- Their humor is blended well with the seriousness of their Scottish, Punk and Canadian roots. And if you're wondering they do have the correct balance of Bagpipes and guitars on this album, their previous CDs usually seemed to lean more on one than the other, but I believe this one has balanced them out without outdoing one or the other.
It's good at least one band can save Canada from Avril Lavigne and Simple Plan shame.

What I like about the Real McKenzies is their use of bagpipes in their music. With out the addition of bagpipes they sound like any other garage band and the music is not all the memorable. There are a couple good tracks, but for the most part it's just a melange of gituar based rock music.

For good bagpipe-based McKenzies check out Lock'd & Loaded.

Let me start off by sayin i have a ton of real mckenzies songs on my computer, but had bought none of their albums except this.This CD however, is freakin awesome.The band has really evolved and it shows.They've pretty much perfected their formula.If you're a Mckenzies fan, you'll love this.if you're not a fan, you'll also love it.how can't you?Fav. songs on here are Pour Descisions, Smokin Bowl,I hate my band, Farewell nova scotia.But all the tracks are awesome.no filler whatsoever.i really gotta see these guys live.
anyway get this cd

Another mad offering from the Boys from the Great White North. Move over Rush, Lotus Land has got some new favorite sons and their name is the Real McKenzies. Just buy this cause you'll be missing out on one of the best acts going currently. Fat Mike from NoFX plays bass and helped produce this record. It kicks much ass with great songs and lyrics, just like all their albums. I love the artwork on this one especially.

This is a fantastic CD. Every song is worthy of a listen. The music fits the genre well. The lyrics are pure poetry (Bugger off is sheer genius). I highly recommend this CD.

If you're a Real McKenzies fan, or a fan of any kind of celtic/folk punk then you will definitely enjoy this album too. This release is better than their last Oot & Aboot which i thought was good but a bit weaker than the previous releases. This isn't their best work but they manage to pull it off like they always do and continue making Scots and Canadians proud.

Like most of the world, I hate Canadians. The only thing I hate worse than proud Canadians are Canadian bands, like Bare Naked Ladies, Nickleback, and similar others. They're good for nothing but a cringe. If The Real Mckenzies would tone down the stupid Scottish crap, they'd actually be tolerable. Some of the songs on here (Best Day Until Tomorrow, Smoking Bowl) are good tunes, but the rest of the album is bogged down in using as many pseudo-Scottish/Canadian cliches as possible, as well as insisting on having annoying bagpipe music throughout. One or two songs with bagpipes would be cool. Any more than that becomes cloying and painful. And quit with the damn fake Scottish accent. You're Canadian, right fellas? Then act like stupid drunk Canadians, not stupid drunk Scotsmen. I have Scottish ancestry too, but do I insist on cramming Scottish influneces into everything I do? No...I'd be dead by now if I did. If the band needs to aim for the cliched "Celt Rock" genre to be successful, then so be it. How sad that they have to create an identity to survive. Reminds me of all Canadians.