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Mad Caddies

Live From Toronto: Songs In The Key Of Eh
2004
Fat Wreck Chords

Mad Caddies - Live From Toronto: Songs In The Key Of Eh (Cover Artwork)


Review by: Hein
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Fat Wreck Chords (Logo)

Published on September 24th 2004

This next installment in Fat's live series features the Mad Caddies performing all of their best songs taken from their five CDs. The recordings took place in Toronto at the last show of their most recent Canadian tour in March 2004.

Judging the crowd cheers, it's no coincidence they moved over there to record! I can tell you first-hand that this is Fat's best band to deliver you an exciting and fun-skanking evening as I think I attended their live show something like 6 times now. Although I have to confess that 2 of these shows (Deconstruction Tour and VK-Brussels) were a bit disappointing, because on those occasions they had a bit too many of these lighters-in-the-air songs for my taste. Nevertheless, once the skank-songs take over, there's nothing stopping that crowd going crazy. I'm pretty sure many of the people that were on this year's Groezrock will call this the best band of the evening. In fact, the entire tent was one big waving ocean.

The sound quality of this recording is absolutely smashing again, as were all previous Fat live recordings as a matter of fact. The trumpet and trombone section sounds squeaky clean, Chuck's vocals always in tone, and strings sound as if it was a studio album. In fact, this is so typical of Mad Caddies at live shows as well: the songs sound amazingly similar to the original.

It was no surprise to me that the best tracks on this album are actually these weirdly fun songs like "Monkeys", "Road Rash" and "All American Badass" as they can get any crowd off of their asses. The difference between this band and an ordinary ska band is that these guys still produce a lot of energy and guitarwork.

For once, I could advise people that wouldn't know The Mad Caddies to buy this album first. It's the best way to get their best songs on a single album, it sounds pretty much like the original and they get a nice feel of what these guys evoke with an audience. It's that seldom experience you have at a show that only is equalled by Flogging Molly perhaps. The only letdown for me remains the fact that some of their songs sound a bit bland and prevent me to keep that shaking going.



People who liked this also liked:
Strung Out - Twisted by DesignStrung Out - Suburban Teenage Wasteland BluesThe Loved Ones - Keep Your HeartStrung out - The Skinny Years: Before We GoStreetlight Manifesto - Everything Goes NumbNo Use For A Name - Keep Them ConfusedNo Use For A Name - Making FriendsStrung Out - Live in a DiveRise Against - Revolutions Per MinuteNOFX - Punk In Drublic



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    Posted by pricey123 on 2008-07-22 20:16:53

    yes, 10 west disappointed me but the album as a whole is pretty good

    Posted by tnimark on 2008-01-20 23:49:43
    My Score:

    On of the better live albums I've heard. Does anyone else think the chorus of 10 West sounds kind of weak live? Like it's missing something?

    Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2006-08-11 10:39:49
    My Score:

    The Grozerock Medley (Days Away/Bell Tower/Popcorn) on this record is fantastic. Other than that, it's pretty good, but I can't wait to hear a new studio record.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 5:18 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Best live album of 2004. Fuck the haters, the Caddies are the only good ska band remaining on Planet Earth. To hell with that Bedouin Soundclash crap, what the hell was that?!

    -Chinatown

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 18, 2004 at 1:09 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    not really necessary to make a live record... but caddies live? you must feel it at the shows not on a record!

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, September 30, 2004 at 5:08 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    The intro on this CD gives me chills everytime! Great job caddies - you always perform flawlessly!! you rule.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, September 30, 2004 at 12:03 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Seeing as 98% of people that post shit here are retarded self centred wank job's I will make a rather silly statement.

    These guys are good but they're no Motley Crue. perhaps if they added Tommy Lee on drums, Vince Neil on vocals and recruited Edward Penis Fingers as their mascot / roadee I would give a crap.

    That's about all i have to say.
    Love Red.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 at 5:06 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    r u guyz still eLitttERit

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at 5:50 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    r these guyz still ska?

    Posted by Chason on 2004-09-28 13:30:17
    My Score:

    you guys bitch a lot.

    Posted by mikeinflames on 2004-09-28 08:00:22
    My Score:

    lagwagon are the asshole of the punk scene
    and from the sounds of it the punk scene has been eating a lot of taco bell

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 27, 2004 at 3:08 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    this album really isnt good as far as live albums go, it fails to capture the entertainment and solid showmanship of the mad caddies.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 27, 2004 at 2:32 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I'd rather see them live than listen to this record. Its good, but I agree with earlier comments that you can barely hear the croud, and there is not a lot of between songs talk from Chuck. There is some, but I dont care about their stupid pregnant friend. Good mix of songs, the quality is good, but they need another guitar player. All in all, worth it if your a big fan of the band but be warned there is NO POLYESTER KHASKIS!!!

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 27, 2004 at 11:45 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I saw these dudes in San Antonio, and they kicked ass. They also played an encore and that showed how much they love to play.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 27, 2004 at 11:00 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    My mom is dead.

    -Ken

    Posted by sickboi on 2004-09-27 10:52:49
    My Score:

    If it isn't a live version of only "Duck and Cover", I ain't interested.

    Posted by Bowen on 2004-09-27 09:29:23
    My Score:

    Strung Out is talent.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 26, 2004 at 8:41 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Your Mom is a joke! Oh! Zing.

    "Strung out is a joke. Its an Andy Kauffman attempt to create the worst band ever, package it really slick and see how many stupid people actually like it. These guys have to seriously laugh their asses off when the FAT royalty checks come pouring in.

    Face it Kids, you've been swindled!

    -Ken"

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 26, 2004 at 2:58 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    yo strung out have been around for years and are well good, i dont know what the hell you're talking about mate

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 26, 2004 at 2:18 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Strung out is a joke. Its an Andy Kauffman attempt to create the worst band ever, package it really slick and see how many stupid people actually like it. These guys have to seriously laugh their asses off when the FAT royalty checks come pouring in.

    Face it Kids, you've been swindled!

    -Ken

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 26, 2004 at 9:55 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    the best live cd on fat is without a doubt the SOIA one

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 26, 2004 at 3:15 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i saw them open for nofx and was severely disappointed. the best live fat cd so far is swingin' utters, closely trailed by subhumans. i think they need a lagwagon one next...four songs from each cd would be nice....and PLEASE have "island of shame" on there.

    come to think of it....a screeching weasel live cd of their reunion shows tour (esp. if they play the fireside in chicago) would be sweet, too.....(if they eventually decide to do it, that is....)

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 26, 2004 at 12:50 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Regardless of whether or not you like the Mad Caddies...this album is weak at best. There's pretty much zero talking in-between songs, alot of it sounds like it may have been overdubbed, and you can barely hear the crowd in parts. It's just not really worth the price of admission.

    It's pretty much like a "best of" compilation (without what I would consider to be some fo their best songs) with some crowd noise and them talking about their pregnant friend once.

    The only other live Fat release I own is the Strung Out one, which runs circles around this one in just about every area.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 26, 2004 at 12:41 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "Fuck you. Lagwagon and the Swingin' Utters suck. Fucking Conservative."

    politics are funny

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 26, 2004 at 12:33 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Yeah you forgot the best live albums: Strung Out, Bracket, and Swingin' Utters.
    NUFAN sucks.

    Anxious to hear this caddies album, and lagwagon live should be amazing!


    Fuck you. Lagwagon and the Swingin' Utters suck. Fucking Conservative.

    Posted by Not-To-Regret on 2004-09-25 22:19:40
    My Score:

    I'm also suprised people haven't been bashing the caddies more. The elite ska-haters must be actually out doing something on a saturday night instead of sitting around on chat boards. yeah I know I posted this but i'm heading out drinkin' asap and I love the caddies.

    Posted by Not-To-Regret on 2004-09-25 22:17:29
    My Score:

    "don't think this guy is aware that the following bands have put out live records through Fat : SOIA, NOFX, NUFAN and the Subhumans"

    Yeah you forgot the best live albums: Strung Out, Bracket, and Swingin' Utters.
    NUFAN sucks.

    Anxious to hear this caddies album, and lagwagon live should be amazing!

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 25, 2004 at 6:38 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "One of the most boring, least important bands to ever warrant a live release. This band's been what people who couldn't figure out punk rock have been mistakenly listening to for years."
    You are so punk rawk, oi oi oi, punx, shut up, Mad Caddies are punker than you'll ever be.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 25, 2004 at 5:00 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    you know you were always such a lady, and i've always been impressed.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 25, 2004 at 1:38 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "best live album from Fat so far."

    I don't think this guy is aware that the following bands have put out live records through Fat : SOIA, NOFX, NUFAN and the Subhumans

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 25, 2004 at 11:25 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    One of the most boring, least important bands to ever warrant a live release. This band's been what people who couldn't figure out punk rock have been mistakenly listening to for years.

    Posted by djx on 2004-09-25 04:53:17
    My Score:

    best live album from Fat so far.

    Posted by pwfanatic on 2004-09-25 00:25:02
    My Score:

    this album is also also awesome.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 24, 2004 at 11:10 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Mad Caddies rock like no others live, its especially fun because they gradually get drunker and drunker as their show goes on, but still they play their songs flawlessly and the setlist on this live album is great.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 24, 2004 at 10:54 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    no shit that's their best work as far as i'm concerned.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 24, 2004 at 10:48 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    no songs from "the holiday has been cancelled" like what the fuck?

    ...still a fucking great live album though.

    Posted by Ted_The_Bellhop on 2004-09-24 22:32:13
    My Score:

    The Mad Caddies are great!

    Posted by manifesto on 2004-09-24 22:07:47
    My Score:

    I never fully enjoyed their cd releases but I remember that they put on a fuckin' great live show at Warped Tour '03 in Montreal. So a live album by the Mad Caddies must be good!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 24, 2004 at 8:09 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I've seen Mad Caddies play live, some of the songs were fun and others were just boring