McRackins

Best Friend (Shredder)
by Scott Hefflon

After an overseas release on One Louder, the McRackins start the new year right with yet another record of pop punk perfection on Shredder. Best Friend launches into their signature poppy sneer with the bopping title track, a tip of the baseball cap to the Ramones, spouting lyrics like “I don’t need your doo ron ron, your runaround, no no no” and “You’re full of so much bullshit, a lobotomy is just too good for you, boo hoo.” Next, they flow into a mid-tempo pop rocker called “Dim Sum,” expounding (in harmony, of course) on the pros and cons of various fast food establishments. From there, the theme songs and nah-nah anthems rack up like bonus points on a pinball machine. “Crank It Up” is a classic McRackins tune, but this version sounds rawer and harder, living up to the line “1-2-3-4 harder faster.” Ditto for “Slap The Monkey.” Oh. Duh. The last few songs are live. I get it now. This rocks! If you’ve ever wanted to hear the McRackins with less of that glossy studio polish, here’s where to find it. Ripping out the raw leads, shouting out the harmonies, and picking up the pace to a frenzied slam, Best Friend shows a different side of the McRackins. Unlike songs that appear on comps which are merely muddy mixes of pretty studio punkpop, the songs on Best Friend are clearly-recorded live versions, authentic with flubbed notes and going-hoarse vocals. A clever way of repackaging a few greatest hits and releasing some new singles. Sweet.