Beer and Loathing
The Real McKenzies · 2020
36 min · 12 tracks · punk rock
A raucous blend of folk-punk energy and storytelling that celebrates the spirit of rebellion and camaraderie.
Top tracks — play these first
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Death of the Winnipeg Scene — This track stands out for its critical examination of local music culture and the challenges faced by artists, blending poignant lyrics with energetic instrumentation.
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Beer and Loathing — The title track encapsulates the album's spirit, mixing humor with introspective reflections on life’s hardships, all delivered through infectious melodies.
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The Cremation of Sam McGee — This song showcases the band’s knack for storytelling, adapting Robert Service's classic poem into a lively folk-punk anthem that invites audience participation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines energetic punk with storytelling but lacks strong cohesion in its flow.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a high energy level, which is maintained through the first half before slowing down in the latter part.
- Several tracks feature call-and-response vocals, enhancing the communal feel typical of folk-punk.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- raucous sing-alongs with friends
- short bursts of energetic fun
- storytelling that sparks camaraderie
- quick-paced tracks for parties
Maybe skip if you
- slow, introspective listening preferences
- long, immersive musical journeys
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 2020, The Real McKenzies released Beer and Loathing as their first album in five years, following 2015's Rats in the Burlap. At this point, the band had solidified their reputation within the folk punk genre, blending traditional Scottish sounds with punk rock vigor. This album reflects their continued evolution while staying true to their roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dropkick Murphys· Flogging Molly· The Pogues
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 A Widow’s Watch 1:15
- 2 Overtoun Bridge 4:20
- 3 Big Foot Steps 3:35
- 4 Beer and Loathing 2:38
- 5 Cock Up Your Beaver 2:51
- 6 Nary Do Gooder 2:06
- 7 Death of the Winnipeg Scene 2:53
- 8 36 Barrels 3:34
- 9 Whose Child Is This 3:12
- 10 The Ballad of Cpl. Hornburg 3:38
- 11 The Cremation of Sam McGee 4:27
- 12 A Seafarer’s Return 1:34
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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