Album review: McRackins – “Wake the Fun Up!”

Mom’s Basement Records – 30 Jun 2023

McRackins hatch another batch of feelgood pop punk songs.

I spent way too many years writing McRackins off as a novelty act. I mean, they are a bit of a novelty act, but ultimately they write damn good pop punk songs. Over 70 releases and counting, although this is their first proper full length in 13 years. The Vancouver quartet also throws in enough punk and classic rock references to make even the crustiest old geezer smile. Wake the Fun Up! is undeniably, for lack of a better word, fun. 

Opener “Annabelle” is a love song about the haunted doll. Yes, that haunted doll. “Lockdown Lonely” might be the best song on the record, even if I’m conflicted about it. A couple of songs on Wake the Fun Up!, including this one, were clearly inspired by the pandemic. I get it. It was a huge thing, but sometimes it feels like we’ll never be completely past it. Still, “Lockdown Lonely” is a great tune.

“Back in the Day” is a reminder of good times past, and how much cheaper everything used to be. “Gladiator” provides a mini history lesson and borrows a hook from “Do You Remember Rock ‘N’ Roll Radio?”, thus providing an important mini history lesson to young punks about the almighty Ramones. All the musicianship on the record is top notch, but the backing vocals are nearly Beach Boys level. “Up to 11” is obviously a great Spinal Tap reference, but it’s the Van Halen lick at the end that really brings it home. 

“L.A.M.P.” begs the question of how much overlap there is between McRackins and Johnny Thunders fans. The title track could be the feel good hit of the summer. “I Hate It” stands on its own two feet without needing any sort of gimmick. “Same As It Ever Was” has some nice lead guitar, and a little more borrowing from Ramones. “Shit Just Got Real” is the other pandemic song. The angry one. It might be the most profane McRackins’ song to date. Closer “Bubba Gub” feels like an inside joke. 

With its 11 songs flying by in about 23 minutes, Wake the Fun Up! never has a chance to get dull. Not bad for two eggs, a dog and some kind of Eggicidal Maniac! Who couldn’t use a little more fun in their life? 

For vinyl fiends: Rising pop punk powerhouse Mom’s Basement Records really went big with this one. The full color comic book art is a good start. Then there are the four fun variants, limited to 100 copies each. Choose from Watermelon Gushers (green with pink and black splatter), Dunkaroos Frosting (white with rainbow splatter), Orange Melted Creamsicle (orange with white haze) or Spitting Blood Gladiator (clear with blood haze).