I’m not going to ignore the obvious. Everyone in town has compared The McKenzies to another little band that also recently released an EP. Sure, line-up wise there are glaring similarities but where that other band were lovingly fed the worms of tweeness by the indie rock mama bird, The McKenzies are at most the evil twins booted from the nest left to subsist on cigarette butts and half empty bottles of MD 20/20.

The McKenzies are rooted in far more punk territory than their de facto doppelgangers. They delve into the darker subjects of rejection and heartache yet emerge as shiny and happy as the bubbles from their live show bubble machine. Lead-off track “Shall We Booty Dance” is a condemnation you can dance to…in hell. “Run Run Run” is definitely the hit, with the awesomely catchy chorus and up and down beat that will have you once again, shaking that ass. And just as you’re worked into a frenzy (by The McKenzies! …oops) it brings you gently to the ground with a grinding outro.

“This Lonely Heart” is a beautiful down tempo number full of longing and desperation. It serves as the perfect “couple’s skate” interlude for a rollicking dance party of an EP. Strains of girl-group majesty are reconfigured in a manner reminiscent of a more technically skilled (and less lo-fi) Vivian Girls. They pick the pace back up with the out-and-out Rondelles-esque “My Baby Doesn’t Understand”. The McKenzies knack for indie pop with an edge is most apparent on this track bringing to mind times of dancing and drinking to the punky poppy indie dance bands that used to grace the stages of places like The Oven way back in the day. Album closer “The Devil Loves Us” is a great send off track, all breakdown and drum cadence one minute and sweet harmonies gently nudging you towards that repeat button to relive the magic all over again.

These songs would fit seamlessly on a mix tape consisting of The Crabs, Wolf Colonel, Cub, Heavenly, and any more of those hard hitting, danceable indie pop bands of times, regrettably, passed.

I should also add that this was recorded at Pigeon Eater and is perhaps the best sounding thing I’ve heard from them yet, I hope they find a new home soon!!! Also, this was released in part by the gang over at IndieHouston, and is a testament to how quickly some kids with a passion for local music can turn a scene around.