Just One More,
Mad CaddiesOn their last release, ‘Rock The Plank’, the Mad Caddies introduced the world to the sub-genre of pirate core, and quite fun it was too, until you realised that the album wasn’t actually very good. The ska stylings of the band had been toned down, and in its place were a number of identikit pop punk songs, the kind of thing that a thousand other bands had already produced. Fast-forward to March 2003 and the band are ready to unleash their fourth studio album, ‘Just One More’, on the world. Now with a colleague having warned me that this album was just as bad as its predecessor I was ready to rip it to pieces in this review. However, when I actually listened to the album myself, a very different picture emerged. Ladies and gentlemen may I introduce the real Mad Caddies…
‘Just One More’ time sees the band stretching their musical boundaries again, and ditching much of the generic pop punk of their last album. This time we see much of what made ‘The Holiday Has Been Cancelled’ EP so strong, being brought to the table and mixed with a combination of both ‘Quality Softcore’ and the classic ‘Duck and Cover’. However, drawing from past influences is not sufficient enough for a band as unpredictable as the Mad Caddies, and we also see glimpses of reggae, dancehall and country thrown into certain songs. It is this eccentricity and unpredictability that is what defines the band, and what has made them so popular around the globe. Admittedly it means the band are a bit hit and miss at times, and this album is no exception. If you knew what to expect from a Mad Caddies album, chances are you wouldn’t appreciate it as much.
The return to the ways of ska is evident from the very first track on the album. ‘Drinking For 11’ is a downbeat number that sees Chuck’s crooning in as fine form as ever, with him singing softly over a slow ska beat. ‘Contraband’ showcases the heavier, rockier sound of the band (the EP sound), and is a great big mess of music that is held together superbly by Brian’s drumming. ‘Villains rattles past in a similar fashion, with the horn section adding extra weight to the impact of the track.
The arrival of ‘Silence’ on the stereo takes the album to another level, and is easily as good of much of what the band produced on their first two albums. This is the sound of a band who are supremely confident in ska/punk territory. ‘Day By Day’ proves to be another album standout, a rousing song with a very infectious chorus. The same could be said for ‘Rockupation’, a track that sees Sascha churning out great ska riffs on the guitar. This one will have you skanking in no time at all.
The second half sees the band returning to the mellow, more mature leanings of earlier tracks, throwing a number of musical styles into the mix, yet still remaining very much in ska territory. The downbeat reggae stylings of ‘Spare Change?’ deserve a special mention, as does the acoustic guitar led country of ‘Good Intentions’. However, at the same time the band give the album an injection of speed at opportune moments in the shape of ‘Riot’ and ‘Wet Dog’.
‘Just One More’ is the Mad Caddies most diverse album to date and is a most welcome return to form from the leaders of the ska/punk scene. It sounds just as fresh on the first listen as it does on the fiftieth. The eclectic style of the band have produced an album that on this occasion is a lot more hit than miss, and at times sits easily alongside some of their best work. All this, and not a novelty song in sight!
Mark
