Mad Caddies

Mad Caddies: Live From Toronto: Songs In The Key Of EhLive From Toronto: Songs In The Key Of Eh (2004)
Fat Wreck Chords

Reviewer Rating: 4

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Contributed by: HeinHein
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Published on September 24th 2004This 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 .

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.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

pricey123 (July 22, 2008)

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

tnimark (January 20, 2008)

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?

GlassPipeMurder (August 11, 2006)

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.

Anonymous (January 5, 2005)

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

Anonymous (October 18, 2004)

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

Anonymous (September 30, 2004)

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

Anonymous (September 30, 2004)

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.

Anonymous (September 29, 2004)

r u guyz still eLitttERit

Anonymous (September 28, 2004)

r these guyz still ska?

Chason (September 28, 2004)

you guys bitch a lot.

mikeinflames (September 28, 2004)

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

Anonymous (September 27, 2004)

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

Anonymous (September 27, 2004)

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!!!

Anonymous (September 27, 2004)

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.

Anonymous (September 27, 2004)

My mom is dead.

-Ken

sickboi (September 27, 2004)

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

Bowen (September 27, 2004)

Strung Out is talent.