Spot looks like a little serious doggie on the cover of the album but I found after the first few play-throughs I wasn’t feeling the love and my heart was kinda serious/sad like the cover artwork – wondering why I wasn’t feeling it because it has all the hallmarks of music I listen to all the time.

Then, I found myself singing the hook of ‘Lianna’ without knowing the song or who it was by. You know the kind of brain fart moment when you’re humming a tune, no idea why that should pop into your head and you be damned if you know who it is. Then about a month ago I thought I have to give that Spot McRackin album a listen to so I can start fleshing out a review and hey presto, ‘Lianna’ Boom! there it is that’s the tune I’ve been singing half the bloody day. Damn man the earworm is burrowing into my brain and I can’t stop playing it. I love an album that does that kinda stupid shit that plays with your head. How did I ever doubt it? Was I even listening to this album maybe a gremlin got into my walkman and was playing a different album. Thank fuck I didn’t publish the review overnight with my initial thoughts. How stupid would I have looked (Quiet at the back, I’m not totally stupid)

On deeper investigation Spot has grabbed a few of his band mates and pals from The McRaklins, Trashcan Darlings and a couple of Dirtbag Republics for good measure. To be fair with it being a solo record Spot is all over this record – Singing, playing Drums, Guitar, Bass Guitar and everything in between. The new album was mixed by Norwegian engineer Maria Maxwell and mastered by Justin Perkins (Screeching Weasel/Replacements) and produced by Spot and Maxwell (of course) For those uninitiated Spot has been the drummin’ dog for Vancouver based pop-punkers Mcrackins since 1995 and moonlights as the singer for Rock and Rollers “Dirtbag Republic” since 2014.

Mcrackins have released almost 20 full-length records, appeared on the legendary BBC Jon Peel show, movies, commercials and most recently co-headlined Punk Rock Raduno 4 in Italy in 2019, which was released as a live album in 2021. If that cv isn’t enough Mcrackins will also be releasing their first new studio album in 10 years this coming winter.

‘YOYVR’ is powerpop punk rock that puts a smile on your face with a catchy melody and a story of tourlife with the boys in the band. It’s a little ray of sunshine from the Glammy guitar solo to that big chorus. It’s not a bazillion miles from something Michael Monroe would put on a record. What you get is ten songs that punch and windmill like the best pit in the best dive bar. It’s not rocket science here I’m sure Spot wouldn’t mind me saying so. ‘My Dingo Ate My BAby’ is a party in your speakers. With a sleazy riff and a case of beer and good times.

The album keeps rolling on with some good riffs and plenty of hooks like the late night sing-a-long of ‘Never Said I Loved You’ followed by the punky ‘Isolation Therapy’

Spot ups the ante with ‘Abandoned’ and goes for a Ramones style 1-2-3-4. It’s rapid bullshit-free punk rock and very nice it is too I might add. As much as I like a good pogo punk rock song I do have a soft spot for the Steve Jones riff of ‘Take Me For A Walk’. It’s got attitude and it’s got a dash of sleazy glam rock as well you can whisper it quietly but there is some ‘Talk Dirty To Me’ in there as well which is cool by me.

There are no soppy love songs or lighters in the air moments and neither is there anything way out of the ordinary like a techno number but what you do have is ten songs that offer a great time and confirmation that punk rock n roll is alive and well and this old dog can teach you new tricks – check this out and tell me I’m not barking mad! Howling good time to be had courtesy of Spot Mcrackin

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Author: Dom Daley