One Night Band - Hit & Run
 
Release Date: October 7th 2008
To be honest, I thought Hit & Run sounded a lot like the Aggrolites in the beginning which didn't really surprised me since the album was produced by Brian Dixon. However, after a few times listening to it, I was able to catch the nuances and variations which differ the two bands.
Hit & Run starts strongly with Wait a Minute and doesn't stop delivering good songs until the very end. My personal favorite is Distance but another song that rapidly caught my attention was track number three, Sammy, which I thought was very original in its lyrics.
The album contains three instrumental songs: Larry Love, The Mysterious P and Safari. I liked the three of them but I would say that Larry Love definately stands out with its dirty reggae vibe and great keyboard riffs. Another thing I appreciated is that they kept their instrumental songs short. I personally loose interest of intstrumentals when they are too long.
Although there are still some subtly here and there, one of the flagrant change with Hit & Run is the lack of horns compared to their first album. I say lack but I can't say that I miss them that much. They definatly make up for it musically and I believe you will have no problem loving this album even without horns.
Favorite Songs: Wait A Minute, Sammy, Mama Was Right and Distance
Rating: 8.5/10
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Saint Alvia - Between The Lines
 
Release Date: September 9th 2008
Saint Alvia was to me, that one band I always heard the name but never got around the songs. Well now I know and I’m delighted.
I was completely absorbed as I heard the various styles of Between The Lines. Not one song sounds like another which makes every piece unique and original. Their lyrics are clever and meaningful. I found this especially true in Trouble Keeps Me Busy, At Least and Americafioso. Although the album reviews diverse topics, Americafioso is the one that definitely stood out as it critiques the political position of Canada abroad.
A lot of different sounds and instruments are mixed on Between The Lines. They added various instruments such as piano, saxophone, trumpet, harmonica and even an accordion. The album itself lean more towards rock than punk in general, but can find different influences here in there. The song Between The Lines makes me think of Rancid, and this impression comes back later on as the voice of the singer kinda sound like Tim Armstrong at times. However, they still have their own style which is unmistakable. Other genres you can find on this album are 80’s rock style, reggae/ska, country (you read right) and what can be described as a Russian waltz. Saint Alvia is definitely a flexible, versatile band and Between The Lines have so many great and different sounds that everybody is bound to like something about it.
Favorite Songs: Trouble Keeps Me Busy, Romeo, Americafioso and At Least
Rating: 8/10
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The Creepshow - Run For Your Life
 
Release Date: August 26th 2008
With words like blood, devil and vampires throughout the album, it seems like Halloween is two month early. Don’t be wrong though, the Creepshow isn’t some goth or emo band (or ska for that matter) it’s a dark looking yet fun and happy band.
The album really starts at track number two as the first one is a dialogue introduction. Rue Morgue Radio sets exactly the course the album will take with its strong punk/psychobilly sound. Although some could think it’s redundant, The Creepshow breaks the monotony of the genre with guitar solos, keyboard and piano, or simply slowing down the song at times. I am usually neutral the first time I hear a new album but I must admit I was shocked to find myself absorbed by this totally new sound (I’m not very familiar with all those new “billy” music style). The second and third times I was already singing along.
Along with the huge bass, one think I especially liked was the vocals not only from the lead singer but also from the guys doing the back vocals. They really add something to the songs. The beginning of Take My Hand would be the best example of this. There’s nothing wrong I can say about this album. Seriously. I wish it would have been longer but it is still a very satisfying album even after the last song. I am already curious about what will follow this.
Oh and if there’s something I love, it’s music you can dance to and this album definitely deliver. Run For Your Life is album you will surely go back to every once in a while as it is horrifyingly catchy!
Favorite Songs: Rue Morgue Radio, Run For Your Life, Buried Alive and Take My Hand
Rating: 8.5/10
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Less Than Jake - GNV FLA
Release Date: June 24 2008
We pretty much all had the same reaction when In With The Out Crowd came out in 2006 and I'm sure we all had our doubts about the album that would follow it. Relax, it's not as bad.
Not as bad but didn't blow my mind either. I will admit that I am not the biggest fan of Less Than Jake but I just can't see what the other reviewers are so excited about. Yes it sounds much more like the band we all learned to love back in the 90's but I can't quite put my finger on what keeps me from liking this album more.
GNV FLA is more a pop punk with horns than a ska album which, I guess, is to be expected with Less Than Jake. The horns didn't impress me much as they are following the music without that much variation. That surprised me since Scott Klopfenstein from Reel Big Fish contributed on this album. I had to listen the album quite a few times before getting used to it because I thought the songs sounded a bit similar. It is also a rather short album: 14 songs, less than 40 minutes.
However, I think we are confronted with a more mature/honest album. Might be because this album was release on their own label, they don't seem to hold back on the contrary, they unleash their point of views about their city, political news, society without overdoing it (unlike Goldfinger) and that I liked a lot. The Space They Can't Touch is probably my favorite song on the album; it is totally skankable and it reminds me what I love about Less Than Jake. I just wish there would have been more of that.
Favorite Songs: The State Of Florida, The Space They Can't Touch, Conviction Notice and Devil In My DNA
Rating: 6.5/10
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The Johnstones - Sex EP
 
Release Date: May 20 2008
I always have a hard time reviewing EPs since I feel left on my appetite because there's only a few songs on those. Although Sex is no exception, there were points that were very clear about it.
First of all, it sounds much more like pop punk than ska. We don't have the typical off beat except in the song Girls which is probably the most ska you will get. I remember on Word Is Bond, horns seemed to stand out more. On Sex, the horns seemed hidden in the background. They still complete well their songs with their horns, but it is less noticable then on their previous CD.
Their cover of Lump is good but not so impressive. I would have expect something that differ much more from the original. However, I liked the live version much better. Bring It Back Around sounds like a song we could find from the soundtrack of Now and Then. It has a 70's feeling in it espacially in the beginning.
Although it's missing a bit of ska, the EP is less bad that I probably make it sound like. We still have the usual catchiness we can expect from The Johnstones. Also, none of the songs sound the same, we can definately detect each song's originality. The EP revolve mostly on the same themes: love, girls, relationships, which is to be expected with a CD entitled Sex. Parents don't need to worry, it is less scandalous that one could think. ;)
Favorite Songs: Girls, Tonight and Bring It Back Around
Rating: 7/10
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The Slackers - Self Medication
Release Date: April 29 2008
In being a huge Slackers fan, I was more than willing to write the review for their latest record Self Medication. New York’s The Slackers are one of the groups that have outlived ska’s fashionable era and continue to have a successful career that is more than 17 years old, and they show no sign of slowing down.
I highly enjoyed their latest record Self Medication. While sticking to their Jamaican ska roots as always, I can appreciate their experimental efforts with tracks like Stars (a Beatles homage) which is more of a ska ballad, and I can’t help dance to Don’t Have To which has an old school feel to it like listening to an old Elvis Presley live record. I gotta love Don’t Forget The Streets and Leave Me, The Slackers' horns, sax and trombone always look and sound like the heart of the band, rather than background instruments. Vic Ruggiero’s sultry voice and keyboard skills are prominent in this record as well. It also seems trombonist Glen Pine has really come to his own as a songwriter and singer with songs such as Estranged and Eviction, both of which I highly enjoy.
I definitely recommend Slackers fans check out this album, although I would not put it up there with their older classic albums such as Wasted Days or The Question, there are at least a couple of songs you are bound to enjoy and skank away to! (Review by Nat)
Favorite Songs: Don’t Have To, Don’t Forget The Streets, Leave Me and Estranged
Rating: 7.5/10
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Goldfinger - Hello Destiny
Release Date: April 22 2008
I'll go straight to the point: There's only 2 ska songs on this album and it's Get Up which is rather ska punk, and The Only One which as a slower pace but definately ska. Lucky us, they even bothered adding horns in those 2 songs. The Only One espacially offers a nice little "horns only" ending.
But what about the rest of the album? Well I personally liked it. Goldfinger plays the kind of "punk" that I like, meaning not just bashing the instruments. Not Amused is the most punk you will get from this album. They seem to go "metal" a bit in Hanjobs For Jesus. I must admit, the songs are rather catchy. Don't be surprised if they get stuck in your head!
The thing I didn't is the lyrics or I should say the topics. Animals rights, war, death, suicide, religion, injustice are themes you'll hear throughout the album. Knowing that John Feldmann has a strong activist side, I can't say that I am surprised. Now don't get me wrong, these are all noble causes but since 2003, the music industry has bombed us with War songs and it's getting slightly redundant. Finding all that on the same album seemed a bit much to me.
So in general it's a good album and it's definately Goldfinger. It doesn't offer any new sound and as for going back to their roots, well that is a rather vague statement. Is 2 ska songs going back to their roots? When you think about it, most (if not all) Goldfinger albums have at least 1 ska song or some ska influence in one song (an off beat for exemple). Maybe because this influence was very faint in the past 2 albums, they consider Hello Destiny going back to their roots.
Interesting note about this album: Recognize the lovely female voice in Handjobs For Jesus? It's Monique Powell from Save Ferris.
Favorite Songs: One More Time, Get Up and The Only One
Rating: 7/10
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Streetlight Manifesto - Somewhere In The Between
 
Release Date: November 13th 2007
I must admit the first time I heard this album I thought it sounded just like Everything Went Numb. The fast pace, the lyrics are just too similar to their first opus. After a few times my opinion changed 180 degrees and now I love this album. It is true, the recipe is rather similar but hey it works!
This is what I call a very intense album. There is so much happening in one song and sometimes you can't assimilate everything after just listening to it once. Streetlight probably one of the most talented horn section. It just flows right in with the other instrument but stand alone perfectly as well.
Favorite Songs: Down, Down, Down to Mephisto's Cafe, Somewhere in The Between, The Blonde Leads The Blind
Rating: 9/10
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Voodoo Glow Skulls - Southern California Street Music
Release Date: September 18th 2007
This band is my favorite ska band, their crazy unique ska-punk sound make them superior to all the other ska-punk bands that I have heard. Their previous album, Adiccion, Tradicion, Revolucion was not as strong as their past efforts such as Who Is, This Is? or Firme. Although there were some good tracks such as D.D Don’t Like Ska and Enter the Dragon, overall I wasn’t very impressed, the lack of catchy tunes was quite a let down. With that, I was uncertain of what to expect from their latest album, California Street Music.
I was very anxious when first popping it into my CD player. I enjoyed this album, the song The Ballad Of Froggy McNasty was the first one I had heard, and I thought it was awesome! It has a catchy horn line and makes me want to dance, definitely my favorite song off the album! Morning Air Raid Sirens is socially conscious and speaks of Bush’s presidential legacy as well assinging in a militant voice about "family traditions and breeding tyranny, veiled under the guise of the American dream." You’ve got to love that horn line and punk edge in While My City Sleeps, a tribute to the band’s Inland Empire home of Riverside,California.
Overall this was a good album, but I just can’t put it up there with their older stuff. Although they do have some really good tracks, I didn’t get that "crazy adrenaline wanting to go on a violent rampage" rushlike I did with the older albums. It seems the band cannot deliver tracks with the same level of energy as with their earlier works. (Review by Nat)
Favorite Songs:The Ballad Of Froggy McNasty, Morning Air Raid Sirens and While My City Sleeps
Rating:: 7/10
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Mustard Plug - In Black And White
 
Release Date: September 11th 2007
I was rather disapointed with this album. Let me explain why: First it has rather a punk feeling to it. The drums and guitars are loud and sounds pretty much the same for every songs except a few. There's more "screaming" that I am used to for a Mustard Plug album, that is in the first songs, it calms dong a little later on. Because of all that, we can't hear much of the horn section although it is not being very original on this album as it follows the song and rarely plays solos. All is not bad. I still like some of the songs but I guess this album must be better live since it is still very energetic.
Favorite Songs: Hit Me! Hit Me!, On And On, and Real Rat Bastard
Rating: 6/10
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The Pietasters - All Day
 
Release Date: August 21srt 2007
The Pietasters are back with a sixth studio album entitled All Day. I was not sure what to expect from this album, and I was very surprised at what I heard after listening to the entire thing the first time. There is an experimental edge to it, and I found it to be very unique from their previous albums. All Day lowers the punk rock influences, and cranks up the soul! This album is quite a change from what you might expect.
The recording gives off that sound as if you’re listening to an old record. Motown inspired songs like Fozzy (my personal favorite on the album) get me on my feet, as well as Trifflin' with that awesome horn line, and songs like Ordinary have this total retro feel to it. The first song Change My Ways sounds as if it could have been played back in the 60s and gives you a great indication of what to expect from this album. The song So Long completely took me off guard, it is more of a rock and roll song, you can feel the British rock band influences. I could not get enough!
This album is great! It mixes soul, ska, motown and rock just right to make it amazing. I definitely recommend fans pick up All Day and give it a shot, listen to it with an open mind and you will not be disappointed! (Review by Nat)
Favorite Songs: Change My Ways, Triflin', Fozzy and Ordinary
Rating: 8/10
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Buck-O-Nine - Sustain
 
Release Date: August 7th 2007
Eight years after Libido, Buck-O-Nine comes back. The question is: Was it worth the wait? Personally, I believe so. The group offer something a little bit different from what we might be used to. You will definately recognize their very skankable style in the songs Cook Me Into The Bowl and Screamin' from the Suburbs.
The album takes a sligthly darker side when Lie to Me comes up. Slower beats, more serious lyrics, they keep up this mood until about Slow Me Down. Although those are songs are less "live show materials" (because they are harder to dance to) I really enjoyed them. Less Than Comfortable espacially surprised me.
Favorite Songs: Cook Me Into The Bowl, Less Than Comfortable and Sailing Away.
Rating: 8.5/10
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Reel Big Fish - Monkeys For Nothin' And The Chimps For Free
 
Release Date: July 10th 2007
To be totally honest, I had no intention to buy this album. I had listened to the samples on their website and thought it not was really impressive. Then I got it for Christmas and thought I should give it a chance. Turned out not so bad after all. This album is rather funny I find. It's starts with Party Down which is a satire of most popular music genres. I love Another F.U. Song, probably their best "fuck you" song.
They seemed to have gone back to their orginal sound; more ska less rock. The second part of the album includes covers from their older songs (why the hell they would do that?) which I'm not particularly fond of. I rather the originals. The album contains a DVD. There isn't much on it, only a video on how they made the album. By watching it you will learn all you need to know on how to create your own record and what kind of bees make milk.
Favorite Songs: Another F.U. Song, My Imaginary Friend, Slow Down, The New Version Of You and 'Til I Hit The Ground
Rating: 7/10
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The Aggrolites - Reggae Hit L.A.
 
Release Date: June 5th 2007
Another great album not only for those who likes reggae. With it's catchy beats and sunny moods, Reggae Hit L.A. just sweats summer. I was afraid that the songs would sound too similar to each other but this is not the case at all here. The album contains a few instrumental songs here and there but they are not too long nor redundant. Rhythm and Light changes beat quite often actually. Pretty relax, you might feel like the album is over too soon.
Favorite Songs: Work It, Free Time and Lucky Streak.
Rating: 8/10
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Mad Caddies - Keep It Going
 
Release Date: May 1rst 2007
This is my number 1 ska album of 2007. Keep It Going is simply amazing. I mean I loved Just One More but this is even better. I wasn't sure about the "polka" beat (The Dirge, Today and Tired Bone) in the beginning but it certainly was a change, not necessarily for them but from usual ska in general. Who else does that except maybe International Ska Circus?
I love all the songs of the album except the 2 last ones (not counting the bonus track). Accoustic ska is just not my thing. Songs 1 to 12 totally made up for those 2 anyway.
I really love the lyrics also, a little bit more serious, we could even say darker than what we might know them for (Monkeys) but they were already going towards this direction with Just One More so it's technically not so new. None of the songs sound the same and it's really something I like about this album. It will definately get you hooked. They also mention Montreal in Souls For Sale which is a plus.
Favorite Songs: Pretty much all of them but espacially Today, Lay Your Head Down, Coyote and Souls For Sale.
Rating:9.5/10
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The Toasters - One More Bullet
 
Release Date: April 24th 2007
I really didn't like how this album started. However, they redeemed themselves with the following song Night Train to Moscow. The voice effect in the beginning made me think of The Hippos (and I like them so that's good!). They stayed faithful to their 2 tone style they even went reggae a bit with Life In A Bubble and Run Rudy Run Redux. They will still make you dance with Bits and Pieces but this is mostly a "chill" album. Those who already love The Toasters and 2 tone ska will be just fine. The 3rd waver might be a bit disapointed.
Favorite Songs: Night Train To Moscow, You're Gonna Pay and Bits and Pieces.
Rating: 8/10
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Big D and the Kids Table - Strictly Rude
 
Release Date: March 20th 2007
This album has a little bit of everything; serious songs, happy songs, a revolution song, a reggae song, songs you'll definately dance to... It starts strong with Steady Riot and Noise Complaint then calms down a little with Shinning On. The faster beats and punk influence of their earlier years definately got tuned down for this album but it still sounds like Big D. Snakebite finally got the best of me after a few times but I still skip Deadpan Face and Hell On Earth everytime they come up. Although it didn't blow my mind, I like where Big D is going with this album. When I saw them live and they played the songs from this album I thought they didn't sounded as good as on the album and that wasn't the speaker from the venue. You can see pictures and video from this show in the media section.
Favorite Songs: Steady Riot, Noise Complaint, Fly Away and The One.
Rating: 7.5/10
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