The Real McKenzies

10,000 Shots (Fat)
by Ewan Wadharmi

I’d like to say that The Real McKenzies have shied away from the straight-ahead Bon Jovi in kilt and combat boots that plagued the shoddy Oot and Aboot. They’ve definitely come a long way t’wards becoming the Scottish Dropkick Murphys. For one, 10,000 Shots is a damnsight punkier. For two, they’ve actually appropriated two Robert Burns poems, “Smokin’ Bowl” and “Comin’ Thro’ the Rye,” into their repertoire and done him proud. You may recognize the blaggards Spike Slawson (Dwarves, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Filthy Thievin’ Bastards) and Fat McMichael (every Fat band) who appear herein. But it’s Paul McKenzie’s much improved vocalizations and more piping from Matt MacNasty that really turned the tide. And while they tear a new hole in traditionals “Will Ye No Come Back Again,” “Bugger Off,” and “Farewell to Nova Scotia” big enough for Great Big Sea to crawl home through, the originals have a shot at becoming standards in their own right. “Pour Decisions” for instance, offers the truths: “A punk musician just ain’t as cute at 53,” he sings. “I have forsaken money makin’/ Yeah, you still wish you were me.”
(www.fatwreck.com)