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VARIOUS ARTISTS Skankaholics Unanimous (Moon Records)
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I am not much of a drinker. Okay, fine, I hate the stuff
completely. But, just because a person doesn't drink, they can still
appreciate a compilation dedicated to it as long as the bands are as
talented as the grouping found here.
Ska bands from around the world contributed either new or previously
released odes to alcohol. Much of the music's biggest names from Lower
East Side Buck(Bucket of The Toasters) to The Pietasters to Bad Manners are
here. A variety of sounds as well from the traditional rocksteady of
Bluebeats' cover of the polka classic "In Heaven There Is No Beer";
skinhead oi-ska with Inspecter 7's "Schoochie's Ruin" or Skoidats' "Last
Night"; poppy third-wave with Buford O'Sullivan(of The Scofflaws)'s "I
Can't Decide" or The Busters' "Drinking In the Pubs"; the swingin'
Skavoovie & the Epitones featuring 'Monter' Mike Welch with "Drunk"; the
mellow lounge jazz feel of The Pietasters' "Gin & Tonic" and The
Allstonians "Martini's For Two" and Laurel Aitkens' "Hey, Bartender;
Czechslovkian do-wop of Sto Zvirat's "Glasses(Brejle)"; and the just plain
delightfully weird track "What's the Use" by Skinnerbox.
I especially appreciate the depressing two-tone sound of Magadog's
"The Jitters" with its telling of alcoholic addiction.
Most of the songs, however, are great salutes to the popular past time of
drinking and anyone who loves that will love listening to this compilation,
possibly with a bottle of Guinness or Red Stripe in hand.[by Porkchop]
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SKINNERBOX What You Can Do.What You Can't (Moon Records)
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If you're looking to expand your taste in ska or perhaps just in
music period? Skinnerbox's new album is for you. Skinnerbox is one of New
York City's oldest ska bands and certainly one of the most diverse in
style.
You may be familiar with frontman King Django as the founder of
Stubborn Records and The Stubborn All-Stars. He continues to prove his
devotion to the roots of the music by attempting to educate today's ska
listener to the idea that the original sounds were responses to other
musics such as soul, jazz, rhythm and blues, and anything else that
Jamaicans could incorporate.
The album has something for everyone starting with the ska-rock of
"Pushing It" , traditional rocksteady on "Baby", the fabulous toast filled
distortion ska of "Nex Finga", hard rock in "2-Face", big band jazz with
"Ditch Digger", plus a bit of soul, a bit of funk, a bit of punk. Too many
influences could probably be pulled out to count.
They even show that they aren't afraid to experiment and bring ska to new
heights with "Down and Around" and "Stay At Home". And for fans of their
big hit "Addiction", they bring a new version of that as well.
This album is probably one of the only places to find both the ska
past and the ska future together by one band, so I recommend you check
these guys out here or at least on their summer U.S. tour.[by Porkchop]
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WEAPON OF CHOICE Hyperspice (Sony/Loosegroove)
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Even though this album has been out for almost a year, I didn't acquire it
until a few weeks ago. This band is an 8 piece funk outfit from sunny
California. They catergorize their style of music as Nuttmeg, a genre
shared by Fishbone and Trulio Disgracias. The music is heavily influenced
by Sly Stone, P-Funk, Frank Zappa, and of course Fishbone, but don't think
they only play funk, they do some rap ("Glo in da' Dark"), funk rock
("Blindside"), and even reggae ("Just Cuz She Was Nice"). Lyrically, they
are not all that sophisticated and frequently touch on the topics of sex,
Nutts, and deragatory terms. On the other hand their music is both
technically proficient and groovin' hard at the same time and make you want
to dance like a mutha fucka. Of the 15 tracks on this album, the ones that
shine out are "Blindside", "The 'N' Word", and "Count Mackuluv". I suggest
that everybody in this world by this brilliant album, even if you are too
close minded to veer away from your favorite style of music (I ain't namin'
names). [by Nuttmeg Supercrack]
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PUNCH THE CLOWN *Each Sold Separately (Raj Records)
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This has been out since '96 I guess but they sent it to me recently,
and boy am I glad!!! I believe this album to be the best third-wave-sound
album since The Planet Smashers. Of course I shouldn't call them
third-wave really because they incorporate so many sounds. There is a bit
of surf, some traditional, some Latin influence, some rock-love ballad, but
a lot of it sounds like a cross between Planet Smashers and Isaac Green.
The male and female vocals whether separate or duet are incredible. The
lyrics are both smart and funny. Some great tracks to check out are "Love
James" which features a girl reading a letter from an ex-boyfriend; the
emotional rock-ska tune "I Give Up"; the diverse dual vocals on "Nautical
Holiday" and of course the bonus track party showtune about
masturbation("punching the clown") featuring their acting talents. I'd
love to get these guys in my film! Go buy this album if you love what I've
explained. [by Porkchop]
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