Mad Caddies – Keep It Going

The Mad Caddies are constantly evolving. They started off heavier and harder, playing fast paced ska with a serious punk vibe to them. They then progressed and invented a new sound lovingly known as to as “pirate-core” on Rock The Plank. On Just One More the band expanded their repertoire a bit more, showcasing their influences with a heavier reggae vibe. On Keep It Going, the band’s fifth full length, The Mad Caddies show their influences even more, leaving behind the heavier ska-punk style of the past for a more traditional dub and reggae sound topped off with a cover of Delroy Wilson‘s classic reggae tuneRiding For A Fall.

This leads for a much more laid back release than some fans will be used to as the band focuses on the more technical aspects of the ska style rather than the super fast and jumpy pattern. Songs like The Dirge, Pyramid Scheme, and Tired Bones still feature the old ska punk frantic speed that was so evident in the band’s early material; but those are counter balanced by tracks like State Of Mind, Coyote and Souls For Sale which sees the band going for a more laid back reggae flavor. Reflections and Lay Your Head Down are two tracks that follow in the footsteps of Westbound Train while Without You is a more ska oriented track that would have fit snugly in Just One More. Surprisingly, the album closer comes in the form the acoustic Whatcha Gonna Do which prominently showcases Chuck’s vocals. The brass onKeep It Going is much more evident too, as they seem to dictate the overall tone and style of each individual track.

While I am much bigger fan of the more energetic style that The Mad Caddies created early on in this career, the style and mood of Keep It Going is just a natural progression for the band. Instead of spitting out the same song over and over again, the band has opted to wear their influences on their sleeve and show where the band came from. While not as energetic as they were in the past, Keep It Going is a diverse album that flows nicely. There’s enough of the Mad Caddies flare in here to keep their old fans happy with enough of a change to attract newcomers too. But if you go in there expecting energetic tracks like All American Badass or Leavin’, you may be disappointed; instead go in there expecting Drinkin’ For 11 and Sad Reggie and you’ll be happy.