WELCOME TO THE BAY AREA SKA PAGE
the most up to date ska info page in the Bay
the most up to date ska info page in the Bay
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WELCOME TO THE BAY AREA SKA PAGE
the most up to date ska info page in the Bay |
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REVIEWS:Albumsthe
bay area ska page
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reviewsALBUMS
I would have to assert that the Adjusters are the most exciting and interesting band that Moon has signed in a long time. Striving to be "the ultimate mod ensemble," the Adjusters play lots of different types of music, one song at a time. "Special Prosecutor," a funk/soul piece, opens the album, followed by a ska song, "Armstrong," then another soul number, etc, etc. They also play rocksteady, salsa, surf, and just about any other type of music normally associated with the mid 1960's. They also tend to have a political message in most of their lyrics. This album is a much appreciated departure from the typical Moon Ska record...I guarantee you will not be bored by this. One of my top picks of the year.
Alkaline Trio:
"Goddamit"
Mike Park's latest release is a very bold album from this threesome out of Chicago. The Alkaline Trio, which contains ex-members of Slapstick, Tuesday, and 88 Fingers Louie (among other bands) plays pop-punk/emo reminiscent of contemporary bands like Braid and the Promise Ring. As is typical in emotional music such as this, lyrics are often melancholy and focus on love and loss. On "San Francisco," a song about a girl leaving, guitarist/vocalist Mike Skiba moans "I sink deep/3000 feet into my window seat". There are also a few slow, ballad type songs, such as "Enjoy Your Day," about the hopelessness of a failed relationship. I have probably listened to this CD 10 times all the way through before writing this, and I haven't gotten bored of it at all. If you are at all interested in emo this may become your new favorite album.
Anti45:
"And So Begins the End"
And So Begins the End is the 1st full-fledged CD from the local bay area Anti45 crew. Topping out at just over 20 minutes, we get 7 high energy punk ska tunes. They are all really tight, featuring sweet up-tempo rhythms, and shouting choruses. The first time listening through the album I found that, for the most part, the tunes are quite predictable. Even so, the album is a over way to fast and I found the time spent listening flew by. All the songs feature great horns, they are all super fast paced and will surely appeal to those who lean more on the punk (than ska) side of the fence. A solid 1st album, and I am looking forward to a lengthier follow-up.
Big Shrimp:
"Big Shrimp"
This punk outfit from the West Bay, which includes the bass player of thrash band Death Angel, plays straight-forward punk with the occasional upstroke, which I guess gives them the title of a ska-punk band, although I don't think they really fall into that catagory. From the 3-song promo CD that they sent me, it sounds like Big Shrimp has a lot going for them. It sounds like Bad Religion mixed with Rancid (like they say). Go check it out, they're worth a look.
Bim Skala Bim:
"The One that Got Away"
BSB comes back with their gazillionth full length album, although this one isn't on their Boston-based label Bib Records, for some reason. Their sounds range from dub-style ("Rain and Pour") to country-flavored ("In This House"). This is definetly the most country-influenced ska band that I've ever heard. Overall, this is album is pretty much a big snore. There are a few high points, like "Murky Waters," but they are infrequent. I found myself wanting to skip almost every track. I'd recommend skipping this one.
Blindspot:
"Acceleration Zero"
Blindspot plays ska with a rock/punk/r&b edge, varying their style constantly. Vocal stylings of David (who also sings in a chorale, so I've heard) give Blindspot a very recognizable sound. They like to vary their tempos a lot in any given song, such as "I Want to Believe" (which was kind of moving too if you listen to the lyrics). I don't really have a favorite song, but you should definetly check out "Dr. Hux" and the title track, both excellent Blindspot live favorites. And then their is the super-fast "Fly" (just TRY skanking to that!) which I also liked. Overall, I was a bit disappointed with this album because I have very very high expectations of Blindspot and was expecting to adore the album. I still like it a lot and recommend it, though.
Blue Meanies:
"Live"
I'm usually not to into live albums, however this recording would most definetley be an execption. The album begins with a super awesome and hilarious introduction a la Wesley Willis. If you are a Wesley Willis fan, you should buy this album just for the introduction. If you don't know who Wesley Willis is go buy one of his albums and the Blue Meanies live album. A live album is very appropriate for the Blue Meanies considering how energetic and intense their music is. Although you can definetley get a feel for that on a studio album, it shines through on this live recording. You can feel the power of the tunes! The Blue Meanies deliver 21 smashing numbers of earth shaking music. This is not ska for all you smily happy pop Reel Big kids, this is bad ass, superfast, punk as fuck, super heavy, odd timed, intense shit that "really whoops the llamas ass". This band is incredible, simply amazing. The Blue Meanies are a prime example of innovation, creativity and a boat load of talent. Their drummer plays so hard, so heavy and so precise! The horn lines are insane, filled with rapid runs, obvious jazz influence and some of the most unique melodies ever! The bass drives the whole thing with a super low end aspect, while the guitar work is packed with heavy distortion, upbeats and loads of crazy ass effects and technique. The vocals are rad, intense and fine tuned adding the perfect finishing touch to the Meanies sound. The album features a wide variety of selections from Pave The World, Kiss Your Ass Goodbye, and even some stuff off their vinyl recordings. The recording is excellent, high quality while remaining obviously live. It's kinda like Mr. Bungle, Schlong and Slayer gangbanged a ska band and this is the bastard baby. When ska is being overloaded with sound-a-likes, mindless horn lines, bland poppy three chord major progressions the Blue Meanies come through saving us all leaving a trail of destruction in their path.
Drexel "No One Told Me"
NOFX/Screeching Weasel/Sicko influenced punk rock from this F.I.H. band. I like the fact that they don't stick to one particular form of punk throughout the album, they can go from hardcore (such as on "Screaming at a Wall,") to poppier stuff ("Wonderland"), and even some ska-type stuff ("Waiting for a Train"). Nothing truly revolutionary here (although, what hasn't been done by this point?) but really a fun album that gets you hooked even after the first listen.
Dr Ring Ding and the Senior Allstars:
"Ram Di Dance"
If you enjoy your ska traditional and to the roots this album is for you. Dr. Ring Ding and the Senior Allstars deliver a traditional album occasional pieces of reggae, jazz and rocksteady elements. It is almost scary how much this band sounds like Hepcat. The first song on the album, "My Sound," tends to have more of reggae dance hall feel than the rest of the album. One interesting thing about the first track is that the band uses a horn line that basically sounds dead on "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash. Other highlights include the cover of the classic jazz tune "Song For My Father"; anyone that ever played in school jazz band should recognize that one. If it's traditional style that your looking for check out this album. It's not very original, but the band does have some soul and major musicanship skills.
Dulcet:
"Almost an Album"
With the break-ups of the 2 Sonoma County giants, the Conspiracy and Blindspot, this year, ska fans in the North Bay are scratching their heads wondering who will fill the void. At this point there is a lot of young talent still honing their skills. Dulcet is one of the up-an-coming bands in this group. I can't tell much from their demo since it wasn't professionally recorded and sounds like a bad bootleg. Sounds like they are OK... they do a cover of "Sally Brown" and a Link 80 song. Mostly on the punk/ska side of things. Keep your eyes peeled for a full-length release.
Dulcet:
"...Self Titled Debut"
In this, their self-titled debut, the north bay’s Dulcet manage to lay down 10 tracks that
range from fairly poppy to moderately hardcore. Most of the stuff stays true to the 3rd wave style, and with songs like "Skankin' Pickle We Love You" it is not to difficult to see who their influences are. Combine that with growing up in the 80s and the mindless hours spent watching Star Wars, Superman, and the hordes of afternoon cartoons, and you got enough horn lines to make everyone happy. As with the previously reviewed demo on B.A.S., this album offers the same bootleg-quality production value. Polished up, I could see these guys definitely rocking and being a lot of fun, but for now the poor recording quality makes it tuff to enjoy this one too much.
Five Iron Frenzy:
"All The Hype That Money Can Buy"
This fourth full-length album is a good, solid effort from this eight-piece Denver based band. It's horns don't disappoint and with lead singer Reese Roper leading the way, all of Five Iron's tunes have their own character. The album starts off strong with "The Greatest Story Ever Told" which highlights the bands maturity with a tight sound and a fun, bouncy beat. The entire album has a nice hard rock influence to it, yet mixes the ska sound well with other genres such as reggae. Five Iron Frenzy is also known for their religous overtones, and while some of the subject matter can be a heavy, it plays out fine and may well make some people think. Of course, the band throws in several purely entertaining songs like my favorite, "The Phantom Mullet", which is a nice throwback to the 80's. Also worth noting is their outstanding cover of Tom Jone's "It's Not Unusual." You should be able to pick this album up anywhere and Five Iron Frenzy fans won't be disappointed, while first time listeners should enjoy it also.
Ghetto Cherubs:
"Anorexic Panda"
Not much we can say here? This Colorado band impresses! Right from the get go listeners
will note their sarcasm and light-hearted approach this band takes to the whole punk-ska scene. The intro starts out with a bit of dialog that shows they are not pretending to do anything else but play their own blend of punk-ska. The album features several diversions from the quick ska sounds you'd expect, with a swing tune and reggae number thrown in. What keeps the album fresh is the vocals, they are catchy and entertaining. While the sound feels somewhat under-produced, overall it is really fun with a good amount of diversity. I would definitely recommend downloading some samples like "My Fault" and "Confusion Among the Sexes" from MP3.com (accessed through their website).
Giuliano Palma and the Bluebeaters:
"The Album"
For those of you familiar with the Italian ska scene then you will no doubt have heard of Giuliano Palma and the Blue Beaters. Chances are though, you have probably never heard of them. Regardless, the band is 100% Italian and plays the traditional ska tunage, similar to Stubborn All-Stars or Skinnerbox. It is my understanding that they are the only band of that make-up in Italy right now, pretty rad, huh? Fortunately, they are superb ambassadors for their country's ska scene. The 16 track album has tremendous horns, keyboards, catchy (English) vocals, and an excellent skanking beat. The first song, "See you tonite," is one of the best and give you a sense of the richness of their music. The album even features a cover of Cher's "Believe" which is far better than the original. Some of the later songs begin to lose their energy and blend together, but overall, the experience is great fun. Chances are you won't be able to get yours hands on this one, but if you can somehow import it, you should seriously consider it.
Grapefruit:
"Grapefruit"
To give you an idea of what this CD is like, I put it on while I was flipping through a zine, and when I looked up at my CD player, 4 songs had already gone by! What I'm trying to say is that a lot of this sounds the same. The vocal lines and chord patterns are repeated too much. They play pop/punk/ska, which is enjoyable but nothing new or special.
The Hanks:
"Opener"
It's great to see some good music coming out of Sonoma. The Hanks four song demo, 'Opener,' shows a lot of promise. Each tune gets progressively better, which bodes well as it starts off strong with a nice pop-punk song. Then come the horns and ska beats, coupled with melodic vocals that have a 'high-school' type feel to them with themes about girls, relationships, etc... Basically, it's just upbeat music that is catchy, enjoyable, and fun to listen to with a lot of good, positive energy. The four songs on this album (available at Sonoma Tower or by mail) would be a worthy listen to any pop-punk ska fans out there sounds like your style, you should check it out. You will surely be left wanting to hear more Hanks, and let's just hope a full-length is on tap.
IBOPA:
"When You Write"
IBOPA's latest 7" comes on cool red vinyl. They always seemed to me to be a strange band to add to the bill of a ska or punk show, but somehow they always end up there anyway. I have seen them atleast once and didn't quite know what to make of them. "When You Write" is soft indie-rock with a chorus featuring some weird slide-guitar sound affects. The B-side, "Cory's Theme," is a little louder and incorporates a little more pop edge, and echos a line from the Smith's single "How Soon is Now." Overall, IBOPA is a little too eccentric for me, but maybe I haven't given it enough time to grow on me.
Jimmy Skaffa:
"Six Bullets Past Midnight"
A perfect fit for ska/swing upstart label Slimstyle Records, Jimmy Skaffa plays it fast with a soul/swing twist and strong female vocals. Cool walking bass lines and nice horn/vocal playoff. Reminds me a little bit of early DHC (have you heard the song "7th St. Gangster"?). These guys are excellent song writers, keep an eye out for them.
Jump With Joey:
"Swingin' Ska Goes South of the Border"
Joey Altruda and his band Jump With Joey are back with their first record in six years. Often known as one of California's best trad-ska secrets, Jump With Joey entertained the L.A. rudeboy and swing crowds every Wednesday at the King King club and rarely toured at all. But this album proves that JWJ is taking their career very seriously. As the title implies, JWJ incorporates a latin flavor into their trademark swing-ska sound this time around, which frankly I found a lot more appealing than just plain swing-ska (which is getting old, eh?). However, this kind of stuff has just failed to interest me lately. Don't get me wrong, it's a good album and everything, Jump With Joey is extremely talented, and includes many accomplished and well-respected musicians, but I just can't see myself listening to it. I recommend it those interested in trad-ska, swing, and salsa or calypso.
Kalifornia Redemption:
"Not it!"
Kalifornia Redemptions first full length Cd is chock full of catchy, hard and fast punk songs. Ten tracks is far too few for a band with such talent. The songs are short and sweet, filled with stories of too much alcohol, and social problems. You can download some of the tracks at www.KaliforniaRedemption.com to get a taste of the CD. however, all the songs are somewhat repetetive in the lyrics and very simple guitar parts get a little insipid, but overall, this is definently worth your 13 bucks. Not a CD for those with no appetite for hard punk, because thats all it is. No Ska
rhythm or Horn section.
The KGB:
"The Space Cadet EP"
The debut cd of the K.G.B. on their new label is an interesting mix of ska and R&B influences. Some songs are popish rock like smashmouth, while others are almost like lauren Hill songs. their debut single, Space Cadet, is definently one of the better songs on the album. It's pretty typical
marketable rock, nothing extraordinary, but some good horn parts and cool guitar arpeggioes. Its worth buying mainly because of those things. If your musical taste borders on rock like on live105 and classic soul on Kiss FM, this is the cd for you. Also a good buy for strict rockers.
King Django:
"King Django's Roots and Culture"
As a Jew myself, I was of course thrilled to receive this album in the mail. I know of countless Jewish musicians, but no Jewish ska bands. There are plenty of Christian ska bands, why not a Jewish one? Unfortunately, this album is more of a "project" than a real band, but its a step closer. Django performs ten originals and covers that deal with Jewish culture and themes, most of it in Hebrew and Yiddish (language used by Jews in Eastern Europe). I actually enjoyed the album a lot. Incorporating klezmor and other Jewish music forms into ska music isn't the easiest thing in the world (although dozens of bands have covered "Hava Nagila"), but Django pulls it off quite well. Backed by the New York Ska-Jews Ensemble, Django covers Heveinu Shalom Aleichem and Ya'Aseh Shalom, two classics. Anyone raised Jewish will really appreciate this album. It brought back a lot of memories of my childhood when Judaism was a much larger part of my life.
Korea Girl:
"Korea Girl"
This just started to grow on me. The first time I listened to it I dismissed Korea Girl as pretty boring indie rock. But a second listen gives them more appeal. Imagine a band, slightly low-tech, slighty poppy (enough to keep my short attention span most of the time), dreamy light female vocals (sort of reminds me of the Cardigans lead singer), paired with simple male vocals to boot. I don't think I would put Korea Girl in the "emo" catagory that hs been used to classify a lot of just plain indie rock music coming out lately. A warning though: this is not for most ska fanatics. It is very mellow and thoughtful, sort of the polar opposite of ska. Asian Man is really on the road to becoming much more of just a "ska-punk" label. Give Korea Girl a listen.
Knowledge:
"A Gift Before I Go"
Former Link 80 lead singer Nick Traina's death in the fall of 1997 came, of course, as a huge shock to the whole Bay Area punk community. After Traina had left Link 80, he put together a foursome called Knowledge, a group with obvious potential. The future of Knowledge was tragically wiped out when Traina was found dead. "A Gift Before I Go" is the only recorded material by the band, and ranges from hardcore on songs like "Still Standing" and "Inikwity," to ska on songs like the Desmond Dekker standard "Unity," and the cynical "Clinton Youth," which build and elaborate on Nick's work with Link 80. Although his personal character was the subject of criticism among many in the East Bay scene (Jeff Ott especially), there was never any doubt that Nick was a great performer. This album is a very appropriate tribute to his memory.
Laurel Aitken & the Skatalites:
"Ska Titans"
The traditional rude-boy's dream pair-up, but he might be disappointed. This album has a real 60's dancehall feel to it, the recording quality isn't all that great, it sounds as if a DJ were playing some antique 45 in some British danceclub. I think it sounds cool, but the artists aren't in their top form. Very much on the rocksteady and even reggae side of the genre, even for these old veteran musicians. Frankly it doesn't draw me in too much. If you are new to either Laurel Aitken or the Skatalites I would not suggest starting with this recording. Try "Blue Beat Years" by Aitken or "Hi-Bop Ska" by the Skatalites instead.
Lesdystics: "Two For the Road"
I should have known this CD would be bad from the start. The CD is called
"Two For The Road," and has a picture of a car accident with dismembered
limbs, lots of blood, and 40 oz. bottles lying around. Then, the first 3 songs
are called, "Who got da meat," "Saturday night and no mija," and "Dick for
brains." On the inside, they have the "hardcore" graffiti writing. When I
first started playing this cd, I thought this is okay. They have some good
horn lines, but unfortunately, that's the only good thing about this CD.
They have sexist sound clips before every song like, "This is a lot easier
if you just lay back," and "I've just got that old fashioned romantic
feeling where I'd do anything to bone her." On the musical side, this has
you're basic Raj Records sounding horn lines that are played fast, then the
band tries to be Link 80, and frequently breaks into full out hardcore
sing-along choruses. If you like the new Link 80 sound, then this might be
appealing to you, but for everyone else, unless you have a true appreciation
for dumb frat-boy lyrics about drinking and getting laid, and a style that
ranges from Punch The Clown to All Bets Off in one song, steer clear of
this. (Lesdystics, I hope for you're sake that you're still teenagers, and
this is just a phase, 'cause if not, I'm sorry).
Let's Go Bowling:
"Freeway Lanes (live)"
Everyone's favorite band, right? I sure hope so, because these guys have been around so long, I don't think I've met anyone who goes to shows that hasn't seen them. They are awesome and are generally pretty good recorded. On this, there are all the LGB favorites like "Spy Market," "Mr. Twist," "Pin Stripe Suit," and "Let's Go Bowling," as well as a couple of new tracks, I think. Live albums are always a bit weaker than recorded albums but I think this one's pretty top-notch. Good price, good band. Go buy it!
Lounge:
"Punk Rock Superheroes"
This 7 song EP from New York-based Lounge is good, well written pop-punk with the occasional upbeat, nothing truly special but I would definetly listen to it more. They remind me a bit of NOFX (especially the drumming, very fast) and Sicko. If you can find this check it out. Short but sweet.
The Lucky Strikes:
"Song and Dance"
With 1998 marking the death of perhaps America's greatest pop artist, Frank Sinatra, this album is very timely. Band leader and composer Craig Marshall definetly draws influence from him, as his vocal styling and phrasing shows. This album is like early 1950's swing and lounge, none of this 90's style swing/punk hybrid that has been popular lately. Beautiful original songs and lyrics. If Sinatra's your thing you'll enjoy this.
Mobtown:
"Cactus Juice"
This band has real class. Excellent female vocals by the self-proclaimed "Queen of Ska" Amy Long against Latin and dub rhythms make this a very excellent recording. The follow up to their debut "The Rhythm of Ska," "Cactus Juice" sees Mobtown becoming more professional in their songwriting, using more varied styles and song writing structures, although still using the Latin sound that makes them distinctive. There aren't really any stand out tracks but the album flows very smoothly as a whole. My favorite thing about Mobtown is the steel drums. They are the only ska band that I've seen live that uses them. If traditional ska is your thing you'll appreciate this.
MU330:
"MU330"
I must admit that this is the first ska album that has been sent to me in months that I can actually see myself listening to again, and not just tossing in the giveaway/sell pile that is getting quite high. Perhaps my boredom is due to a huge lake in originality, complexity, and inspiration in ska lately, both traditional ska and punk-ska alike. And honestly, I wasn't too excited to get this is the mail either. I hadn't been too impressed with MU330's previous efforts, so when I actually (reluctantly) put this in my CD player I was totally suprised. I liked it! Whoa. The latest album from MU330 just plain rocks, making up for all the originality, complexity, and inspiration that the genre has been lacking. Very much on the punk (and occasionally hardcore) side of things, not totally danceable but maybe that's a good thing. I can't really describe what made me like this album so much, so you're just going to have to trust me and pick it up for yourself.
New York Ska Jazz Ensemble:
"Get This!"
Their name says it all... New York jazz musicians with an affinity for ska. Obviously the musicianship level is very high, and the songs are pretty well written too. It's mostly on the traditional side, but they also mix it up with soul (like on "Yeah, Yeah", my favorite song of the album), jazz, and rocksteady on occasion. Plain and simple this is the way the NYC sound is done... if that appeals to you you'll be pleased with this.
Pez Stomp (Japanese Import):
"Pez Addiction"
Solely from the name of the band and the album, you can tell that Pez is obviously a universal addiction. The first thing you will notice when playing this album is the horns! They rock hard and loud throughout. The thing that throws this cd off is the female lead vocals -- she has one of those high pitched Chun-Li (Street Fighter) yelping voices which seem to be fairly prevalent overseas (sorry for the stereotype). There is pretty much an even split between Japanese and English tunes, but all are really poppy. Not that the English matters much, it is nearly impossible to understand. Which is part of the reason the "Pez Addiction" is so fun, because even though you have little or no idea what they are talking about, the music is still really good! Which leads to the following statement: Pez Addiction is a solid horn-driven ska album.
Potshot:
"Rock N Roll"
Have I ever mentioned how weird I think it is when bands who don't really speak English try to sing in English? I submit Potshot for your example: Potshot is from Japan, and although apparently they are singing in English, you'd be hard pressed to understand a thing they are saying. Then when you take a look at the lyrics sheet, there are funny grammatical errors like "Losing my patience 'cause you get on nerve." I had to laugh, I mean, no offense guys but what's wrong with singing in Japanese? Anyway, music-wise Potshot sounds a lot like LTJ in many ways. Punk with horns mostly... the horn lines are pretty boring. It's listenable but generic, the combination of unrecognizable lyrics and bad horn lines essentially turned me off to this album. I'd say this one is a passer.
Punch the Clown:
"The Secret Life of Punch the Clown"
Davis favorite Punch the Clown is back with a 3rd album. This one has its high points and its low points. You definetly ought to check out their swing/ska tune "Crackerjack," and the surf and Latin-flavored "You Don't Love Me Anymore." The album takes a while to get going; the first few songs are throwaways, as well as a few songs (such as the 9th track "I Love You"). Also, lead singer Mindy's rather nasal voice takes a while to get used to but you may start to like it after a while. This is along the same lines as previous PTC releases, with a little extra Latin influence this time around, so if you liked 'em before you'll like 'em now.
Pushover: "...Pushover"
Yes! Finally a really good CD from my mailbox! I was totally suprised by this one, as I have heard virtually nothing about Pushover except for the fact that they are ex-members of now defunct Mealticket, whom I didn't care for all that much. However, their sound is pretty much nothing like Mealticket at all, but more along the lines of Animal Chin. Fun pop-punk with horns, very few upstrokes (in fact the horns are superfluous most of the time, and the band could easily do without them). Almost the whole album is great, especially the beginning (songs get slightly weaker towards the end). Best thing I've gotten in the mail so far in 1999... trust me on this one and pick up a copy from Asian Man!
Rag Tag Unit:
"Living In A Tree"
Coming straight outta Oakland is the Rag Tag Unit bringing with them their first full length release "Living In A Tree". This is a rockin album packed with youthful energy, full of catchy ska punk tunes of many tempos that make all the girls scream. These guys have a posse of pretty girls (good smelling of course) up in the front at every show. A long with havin a good amount of poppyish stuff the Unit kids also come through with some heavier shit such as "Burn A Bridge" and even a little funk courtsey of "Racketter". The album is diverse but not overly so. All of the songs are well written and all though the music Rag Tag Unit plays may not be considered too original they way they blend together as a band gives it it's own unique style. My favorites include "Girls Smell Good", "Burn A Bridge", and the very old skool Wet-Nap esque "You Can't Kill A Ninja" which features an hillarious break down with the trumpet player on vocals(go buy it if you wanna know what it's all about). Also be sure to check out the ballad of "Whiteboy" which features lots of comedic ass white boy flows from the band and surprise guests from da HSF crew. This is a killer d.i.y. debut album and if these guys keep at it they promise to have a bright future ahead of them. p.s. Jaxon beats James ass on the secret track!
The Reliables:
"You'll Break My Bones Before you Break My Heart EP"
This EP includes four songs, all maintaining your average pop-punk sound without any kind of ska feel. While the music is familiar the vocals separate the Reliables from most other bands out there due to their scratchy and unrecognizable lyrics. It is difficult to say whether it is the recording quality or vocal style that keep the words from being incomprehensible. Regardless, it causes the songs to blend together and all sound similar. On a more positive note, all four songs convey a lot of energy and the lyrics themselves (as they are printed on the tape sleeve) are meaningful. If the sound could be pulled tighter, the Reliables would definitely have a good sound.
Ron Sunshine & Full Swing :
"Straight Up"
When it comes to swing, good tunes can really get you movin - toe-tappin and finger-snapping. That's what the first half of the Ron Sunshine and Full Swing album Straight Up will have you doing. Its got a great beat and nice poppin' basslines with solid horns and catchy fun lyrics. It is everything swing should be, guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a hop in your step. Highlights of the first half include "Enough For You", "Hit That Jive Jack", and "Red Light". Then comes the second half of the album. From about track 7 on it is like an entirely different band. It loses most of its energy and is completely uneventful, leaving you with an empty feeling. If you can get it for half price, well worth it.
Rudiments:
"Psycho Ska"
When I put this on, I couldn't believe it was the same band that made "Bitch, bitch, bitch." This album is so different; it chronicles the first three years of the Rudiments, 1990-1993. There is a definite two-tone influence in there, but I can't compare them to any band in particular. I liked the funk-laced "Joyce," although it took me a while to take to it. I haven't heard many ska bands fool around with funk so I thought it was really cool that they did. There's also a bit that sounds like Fugazi (on "Dine in Crossfire"), as well as your standard ska-punk. "Psycho Ska" is a very diverse album during which you can observe the evolution of the band's sound and style. If you didn't like "Bitch bitch bitch" don't rule out this album because it's much different.
Scofflaws:
"Record of Conviction"
I always considered the Scofflaws to be the typical Moon Records band. NYC ska. And personally, I like it, but I'm a little tired of it. If you're into it though, this record is a great investment. Almost 50 minutes of music and 17 songs are here, all new, with lots of instrumentals. Check out the funk laced "Show Band Anthem," the slow instrumental "Ga Juma," and their dub cover of "Time of the Season." The Scofflaws have great horn lines and they use their horn section to the fullest extent possible.
The Scrambled Debutantes:
"Nerds Demo"
With DIY quality emanating from every inch of this little Nerds Demo CD, it is surprisingly listenable. Granted, the vocal quality is relatively poor and the mix is a little harsh on the ol' ears every once in awhile, it still has manages some high points. The horns are played well through the five ska-core tracks, which includes a worthwhile live cover of Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit,' and even though there is no single song that will be rattling around in your head after the fact, the time spent listening is decent enough. With some polish the Debutantes could be a great bay area band, but, like most local ska bands as of late, they look to be breaking up soon.
Secret Society:
"Can I Borrow Your Beard?"
This is a perfect example of where ska is at today. Ska is everywhere and it seems like everyone is picking up their guitars and doing the upstroke. Back when ska was, well, pretty damn unpopular, you had to be really really good to make it as a ska band, or you wouldn't get any shows and you wouldn't sell any records. Now, there are plenty of good ska bands out there, and they are relatively easy to find, but there are also a lot of mediocre bands who don't have a particular thing about them that makes them stand out, so they just "borrow" ideas and styles from their contemporaries. Secret Society is one of those bands, judging from this CD. Nothing especially interesting or catchy, just your standard, 3rd wave punk-ska. It's certainly not painful to listen to, but it makes me want to turn it off rather than jump up and dance. (BTW: I hear from many people that this band is amazing live, so maybe this is not a good reflection of their skills).
Set 'em Up Joe:
"Set 'em Up Joe"
Set 'em Up Joe has great drumming, a superb horn section, and a smokin' guitar, but the vocals are very generic. The lyrics sound like the cheesy product of the zoot suit and martini-obsessed swing revival. Set 'em Up Joe's hep sound will grow on you, but don't expect the singer to, or you will be disappointed.
Skarmy of Darkness:
"This Is My Boomstick"
Well, what can I say about this band out of Western Massachussets? Bad singing, lame lyrics (a song about "7th Grade Love"? I think we'd all like to forget about that year), not-so-imaginative horn lines (that are occasionally out of tune), all over not a great tape. Sorry, guys.
Skavoovie & The Epitones:
"The Growler"
On this, Skavoovie's 3rd full-length album, we get a more mature group with music to match. The CD states "boisterous shouting and raucous squawking horns," I was expecting something very much like Fat Footin'. Instead, I got something a little different - the "squawking horns" are there as promised, but the "boisterous shouting" I love about Skavoovie is lacking. Growler seems very serious. The instrumentals are a little too plentiful for my tastes (4 of the 14). But the rest is good East Coast style ska. Stand out songs included "Lucy", "Salad Days", and a swing number called "Texas Size."
The Slackers:
"The Question"
The Slackers have been gaining a lot of popularity in the trad-ska sphere lately, and this latest album shows their potential well. Vic Ruggiero and his band show that they've got more soul than most of the bands around. Their Hepcat-like sound is refined and excellent for dancing. Songs like "No More Crying" even remind me a little of Jimmy Cliff. Definetly one of the best NYC bands right now... you need this album!
Slow Gherkin:
"Shed Some Skin"
On their long awaited sophomore full-length, Slow Gherkin has evolved a lot. Comparisons will likely be made to the Siren Six! Emphasizing organ and guitar more than their previous songs, which had more of a horn emphasis, Slow Gherkin strives to remain current and original in the era of too many crappy 3rd wave ska bands. In fact, much of this album cannot even be fairly called ska. Songs like "Another in Your Life," "I Only Smoke When I'm Drunk," and "Shed Some Skin" demonstrate Gherkin's ever-improving song writing skills, while "Get Some More" and "Trapped Like a Rat in Myer's Flat" are in the more recognized, older SG style. Overall, I am very impressed with this album; I like how the band has evolved and created something that is complex while still being fun.
Snail Ramp (Japanese Import):
"Fresh Brash Old Man"
Fortunately, all these songs are in English, however, most of Snail Ramp's English is almost laughable. No matter, this album is awesome, sure the songs are a bit ridiculous with songs about movie wars and dishwashers, still, Snail Ramp possesses so much energy it is practically bursting out of the cd. Note that most of the songs are straight up punk, with only a few utilizing a horn section, yet they all have an incredibly jumpy beat. Their English leaves much to be desired, but they manage to sing with such catchy tones that you can't help but sing along. Skankin' highlights of the album include "Little King" and "A Pizza Already." One last thing I wanted to mention is that the cd packaging (while I believe it to be a limited edition version) is super cool. It is a box with the cd inside and 15 cards each featuring Mexican style wrestlers and lyrics on the backsides, plus you get a plastic wrestler with jointed legs and arms. I can only hope that someday Snail Ramp makes it to the US.
Stubborn All Stars:
"Back With a New Batch"
This latest offering from the all-stars of ska, the Stubborn All-Stars, features a parade of guest artists, such as the Rancid boys and Dicky Barrett. King Django and his crew serve up 12 new tracks of traditional ska. Be sure to listen to the slow ballad "I Can't Touch You," which recalls some of the old Motown bands. For a traditional ska album this is pretty top notch. My view on trad ska right now, after listening to so much for so many years, is that its always enjoable to listen to if its done well, but it's really hard to write truly original songs. I like seeing bands play ska music on all sides of the spectrum. But this is still really good...
Undercover S.K.A.: "The Things Men Do"
You gotta give this band props for being (as far as I know) the longest-running Bay Area ska band, but honestly, their sound is tired. This sounds like everything else they've put out, lacks a great deal of originality, and at some points is actually unpleasant to listen to (check out track #3 "Conspiracy"). Plus no one in this band can really sing. I suppose if you are a fan of the band and like their other stuff, you'd like this too, but otherwise I'd say this one is a passer.
The Wonder Years: "Take It Off, Let It Go, Start From Scratch
This new East Bay band has really taken off. Less than a year its formation the Wonder Years are already playing prestigious clubs all over the Bay and have been quickly earning a following this fun 7" is a good example of why. Melodic punk/rock 'n roll with a slight emo-edge, occasionally reminding me of Jawbreaker (different vocal style though). My favorite track is "Bottled" on the b-side closely followed by "Hopeless Romantic." A talented young band, give this a try!
Yeska: "Skafrocubanjazz"
Yeska is a multi-cultural band from the Los Angeles area that plays a unique brand of Jamaican ska mixed with Cuban jazz. I have been seriously impressed with this band since I first heard them on Moon's "Skarmaggedon 2". The salsa-tinged "Fideo" (which is the 1st track on the CD) has a sound that I had never really heard in ska before. Ska has been mixed with Latin music since the days of the Skatalites, but I don't think anyone does it as well as Yeska. The musicians are suberb...there is an excellent balance of brass vs. sax, and the piano also adds a colorful element. My favorite tracks are probably "Fideo" and "Second Menu." This is for fans of traditional ska, jazz, and world beat alike. Definetly one of my top picks of '98. Do yourself a favor and pick this up now!
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