Mad Caddies

Keep it Going

Fat Wreck Chords

(Mad Caddies MySpace)

Even though it was released a few months ago, I thought Keep It Going was worth reviewing now to help ensure no one overlooked one of the better releases of the year. It was refreshing to see the Mad Caddies take such a large a risk here and for it to pay off so well.

Personally of late, I thought the Mad Caddies were stuck in a rut. While its recent previous releases had some excellent songs, there was something also very formulaic about them. It was like the Mad Caddies had a checklist to make sure it covered all the usual bases: a few ska songs (check), a few Dixieland-core songs (check), sing-along sea tales (check), a couple of straight-forward punk songs (check). Well I think you get the point.

In a brave move, this time the Mad Caddies focuses more on one style - reggae inspired tunes. That’s not to say the band has altogther done away with the other styles, it’s just that Keep It Going is more reggae lop-sided and makes for a much more consistent effort.

On this album, lead vocalist Chuck Robertson gets the best opportunity he has ever had to test his vocal abilities and he more than raises to the occasion, as demonstrated on the slower paced jams of lead single, State Of Mind and the immediately catchy Don’t Go. The Delroy Wilson cover of Riding for Fall features some toasting by special guest Black Uhuru and Chuck’s most heartfelt vocals.

The Mad Caddies has always featured a talented horn section and it certainly adds great bounce to the upbeat reggae of Backyard and Without You and it can also still really let loose when required as on the rocking Tired Bones.

I have always believed the Mad Caddies have been unfairly underrated and seriously the band must have something special going for them since it has been doing this since Third-Wave Ska broke in the mid-nineties. Let’s hope they continue to Keep it Going.

Reviewed by Pilipo