Whist Harry May Record's "Oi Fuckin' Oi" comp shows the best of oi, this albums show one of the disappointing aspect to the working class music. Whilst there a number of good tunes here there is a lot of sub standard stuff. Thankfully though, the albums only a fiver for 16 tracks, so its still worth getting just to play the good tracks.

There are enough good tracks to make you get the CD out
every now and again.
"Five minute fashion" tells of people who just see Oi as a passing fad rather than a way of life, a similar story line to the 4-skins 'clockwork skinhead'.
"Kids of the '80's" is a personal tale of the lack of things to do in the eighties, featured on Oi Fuckin' Oi the song is best remembered for an  ok guitar riff.

"You haven't seen nothing yet" is not a bachman, Turner and  overdrive cover but Infa-Riot's best moment.
"Emergency" is another ok song, that can be a bit repetitive, although it has a similar guitar intro to some of indie band Mansun's songs.
"riot, Riot" and "the winner" are not bad efforts, but the rest is not to good. "schools out" and "still out of order" are pretty poor and give hope to all garage bands, the 2 live tracks aren't much better either.
Harry May Records.
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Intensified - Faceman Sound.
4 out of 5.

I've always liked Intensified, I've hears some of the Kent bands stuff on compilations and samplers and its up there with Hepcat, stubborn Allstars and Ocean 11. But I never got round to buying any of their albums, well this album proves what a mistake it was as the bands second album on Grover shows just what class they ooze.

"Morality panic" is a uptempo fell good ska tune "Direction" isn't as good party tune, as its a bit slower tempo but it still skanks brilliantly, the bass line is groovy (pump it up!) and the horn lines are really great. Steve Harrington's song writing skills must be praised as these sounds go down just as good as any original ska tunes. Credit as well to vocalist Paul Carter, the rest of the band and the production crew for getting such an original sounding ska CD.

"Treasure Island" is a very laid back tune, that lets the brass do the work. This sounds like a song Hepcat should have recorded. "Grim Prairie tale is a bouncy instrumental that stays interesting.
"Maybe" and "Glamour girls" are back to back classics. Probably the best two tracks on the album. The first is a four minute slice of Hammond organ skanking ska. (not to mention the organ solo) "Glamour girls" was released as a 7" and you can see why. It practically bursts out of your speakers and makes you dance. Feel the bass shake the floor. The Brass keeps pumping all over the song as well as for the solos.

"Hot lead shuffle" and "Rolando" and two ok instrumentals but they're crammed in between "Bring it back" (again great horns) and "Ransom". (wicked smooth vocals on the slower love-ska song)
"Jekyll & Hyde" picks the pace up again and both "Duck soup" and "She's so fine" are upbeat ska stompers. The latter really does sound like its recorded in J.A.

Overall there are some really good upbeat traditional ska songs that benefit really well from top production. Please play live in the UK more!
Grover Records.
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King Apparatus - King Apparatus.
3 Out of 5.

The first two king Apparatus have been re-released by Asian Man Records, this eponymous LP is the bands first effort. The band featuring Chris Murray of Venice Shoreline Chris fame play poppy upbeat ska in a rootsy vein.
There's quite a few catchy numbers that make you tap your feet and that you easily dance to but there are no real outstanding tracks to make it a must buy or a classic.
Recorded in 1992, the albums highlights are the opener "Non stop drinking" a cool party song to sing along too, "Live feed from Heaven" think of Mustard Plug colliding with Lets Go Bowling and Johnny Socko, "Break your heart", "Five good reasons" - cool harmonica, the laid back "King Apparatus" with horns and dub style vocals, "Heartless" and "Hold me down".

Some of the songs remind me of  The Specials "guilty till proven innocent" album.
Overall there's twenty tracks which make a feel good party ska album.
Asian Man Records.
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Korea Girl - Korea Girl.
2 out of 5.

Proving that Asian Man records is not just ska and Punk, Korea girl and indie style band with male and female vocals turn up to be a good alternative to all the hardcore and off beat sounds.
Probably the best songs "b-side" and "reunion" have both featured on Asian Man's "mailorder is fun" sampler series, but there's still plenty more hear to listen to, with 13 tracks plus 5 demos, it adds up to 70 odd minutes.

Mainly slow songs with jangly guitar riffs, there are a few good tunes that are worth hearing Upside down, conversations and the slow drumbeat and picked stringed guitar of  'wile e.' It certainly different to your usual ska/punk.
Asian Man Records.
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The Lawrence Arms - A guided tour of Chicago.
3 out of 5.

Creating pretty much there own style since the demise of ska/punk greats Slapstick, Tuesday, The Broadways, Alkaline Trio and now The Lawrence Arms have all put out punk Rock with touches of Indie Rock and Melodic hardcore.
L.A. fit nicely along side Tuesday and the Broadways, more hardcore than the '77 punk rock of The Broadways and indie/punk of Tuesday.

The return of Brendon Kelly, the former slapstick singer  on bass and vocals complemented by Chris and captain Hennessy sees The Lawrence Arms take over the mantle from the late Broadways and Baxter, 2 of Chicago's top punk outfits.

Ten songs in just under half an hour is how punk's meant to be and there a quite a few highlights here but nothing that stands out as really catchy or special.
Kicking off with "an evening of extraordinary circumstances" and punchy song that reminds you what's best about the ex slapstick bands and that's the emotion that goes in to all the vocals and Brendon Kelly one of the best.
Put everything into the songs especially on the opener where Brendon screams "tonight ill bang out another shitty song that so unsatisfying, its been so fucking long since I really felt any other way..." and "maybe tomorrow I won't smoke no cigarettes, maybe tomorrow I won't look back on tonight with vomit soaked regrets...".
"Kevin Costner's casino" tells of American capitalism and exploitation.
 "A guided tour of Chicago" is a average song telling of all the characters in their neighbourhood.
"take one down and pass it around" is one of the better tracks on the album that has the punky guitar taking a back seat to the vocals. Its back to the hardcore sound with "one day we're all gonna weigh 400 pounds" which is reminiscent of one of Slapstick total punk numbers.

"Northside, the L&L and any number of crappy apartments"  is a slower punky number, that sees Chris take over some of the vocals from Brendon.

Smokstacks has a jangly guitar riff and hardcore chorus which works fairly well and "Detention" and "Uptown Free radio" pass by without any real note.
The album closes with "eighteen inches" a slow more emotional song with the lyrics " voted worst in shows for the last two years. I got a refill on my tears" This is a good alternative to the more hardcore punk rock numbers.
Overall not a bad effort, The opener "an evening of extraordinary circumstances" is the only real outstanding moment. So the Lawrence arms at the moment are second to Alkaline trio.
Asian Man records.
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Lets Go Bowling - Freeway Lanes.
4 out of 5.

Asian Man’s owner Michael ‘Bruce Lee’ Park calls them ‘one of the greatest ska bands of all time’ and has managed to put out the bands live album out on his label.
Mixing two-Tone rhythms with original Ska/swing the 8 piece come up with immensely poppy and catchy tunes that will bring you to your feet to dance along too, which is how ska’s meant to be.
‘Hare tonic’ is an instrumental, which has it’s excellence down to crazy, organ like keyboards which belts out a tune similar to that organ sound at fun fares, the track also has a fast paced skanking guitar.
‘Spy market’ follows closely on the heels, and is equally as good, this time the keyboard leads the skanking fast pace rhythm which makes so many of LGB’s song sound so good, The brass just has fills here and there.
Most of the tracks are recorded from Gunner’z in Iowa on 21st of September 97. But the next four are from Denver, Eugene and Isla Vista and 3 of the four are some of the best tracks on the album.
‘Live & let dance’ is a catchy song, with sing along vocals of ‘live & let us dance again’ on the chorus, each time been punctuated by a brass fill, plus the sax goes crazy on this number.
‘Sick fish’ is a slower song, but is brilliance lies in the Latin style horns and the harmonious vocals of Paul Miskulin (also guitar/harmonica) and Darren Fletcher. (also keys)
‘Oatmeal for Xmas’ is one of LGB’s most well known tracks, as it’s featured on the ‘Mailorder is fun’ and ‘skauthentic’ compilations, this is a pretty good medium paced instrumental which wraps itself around a pretty good brass hook , with brass solos.
‘Mr. Twist’ the title track from the bands last album, its a slow instrumental track which gives the guitar, keys and brass chance to branch out and solo, but overall it’s a bit disappointing.
‘Esta Noche’ picks up the pace and has more of what ‘the bowlers’ do best, fast skanking rhythms and Latin/swinging brass sounds, even the foreign vocals don’t take anything away from the catchiness of the song.
‘Man in the street’ is the bands token Skatalites song, after a vote from the crowd, they cheered more for this than the Skatalites ‘magic star’.
A wise choice by the fans as LGB’s live version is pretty excellent, although it goes on a bit .
‘Daddy’s girl’ kicks of when a girl comes to the Mic to open the song with the words ‘you said I could have it daddy’, this is one of the best tracks. About a rich girl who thinks she should have everything, this mixes catchy harmonious vocals and quick two-tone keyboard and guitar sounds.
‘Pine stripe suit’ sounds like the title of a Jam song, but its a keyboard Ska led song, which works fairly well.
‘Rude 69’ is a skatalite style (almost) instrumental which has a rocking bass that almost has your speakers moving it time with the bass !
Paul Miskulin takes up the harmonica on ‘You take me’ which is alright but it really only stands out for its catchy chorus, in which the horns play a major part.
‘Hot buttered’, apparently a song about Pauls armpits ! This is a really rocking skanking track instrumental,  which has an insane brilliantly wacky keyboard solo.
‘More than a person’ is probably the most disappointing live track on the album, of medium speed, the only good bit is the horn filled post chorus which sound like The Specials ‘Why ?’
‘Lets go bowling’ has the sound of the ball hitting the pins on the intro and then its a medium paced track with a horn call and the all for one cry of “lets go bowling !”
The set ends with probably LGB’s best song ‘Bitch’, about Paul, the singer, who skanked up to a Two-Tone girl in a cafe a got date, but it turned out she was always nagging him and
‘Bitch’ has a decent guitar intro riff and has a really loud keyboard sound, the song has a sing along chorus bit, a guitar, sax, harmonica solo, crazy drum/cymbal thrashing, a great way to end the set.
The album finishes with two 1st take studio tracks ‘The reburial of Marcus Garvey’, a Ska/jazz slow instrumental, and weird ‘Sock Monkey March’ which has haunting brass over a drum/bass marching beat.
Overall the live tracks are pretty good, which captures the live and authentic sound of LGB live, it just makes you hope their gonna come to the UK soon, because on this evidence they would be well worth catching live.
Asian Man Records.
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LightYear Vs. Evil Macaroni. Split CD.
4.5 out of 5 for Lightyear.
1.5 out of 5 for Evil Macaroni.

This is one of the most one side split CD's I've ever heard. If it was a boxing bout it would have only gone ahead if promoted by Don King and would've been stopped in the first round.
Lightyear are like Muhammad Ali and evil Macaroni are the Joe Bugner. OK that maybe a little unfair to E.M. as

they're not actually that bad. Its just the 4 Lightyear tracks are cool ska/punk.
Each band knocks out 4 tracks of ska/punk Brit stylee.
Derby 8 piece Lightyear blast open the CD with Spot check an excellent live favourite similar to Write Offs "legalise" a punk/ska song with a catchy horn riff that makes it sound kind of poppy.
The distortion kicks in on the chorus and the backing vocals (the "hey-ho's") from Neil are cool, this is a great
party punk/ska song.

"Second to new one" is a more punky affair/ Pounding drums and the horns backing up the punk heavy guitar. The song still manages to have fairly catchy vocals and chorus to sing along to.

"J.S.A" is a punk/ska number that slows down for the chorus. It seems to be a song for people who work in  pizza takeaway place's to not do want there boss wants a start a kitchen riot! With Chas singing "You don't have to work if you don't feel the need, if its draining your life like vampire feed."
Anyway the outro gets real punk and is a great climax to the song with Chas chanting "don't eat the pizza".

"Old Acquaintance" is a bit more of standard subject for a song, but its still a great song. Whereas "spot check" is likeable from the start. "Old Acquaintance" is a grower. The chorus and the horn riff are excellent. It seems to be standard for Lightyear to have really catchy singalong vocals that are easy to join in on. The break after the 2nd chorus is pretty cool as well.
Overall all four songs are tops, especially "spot check" and "old acquaintance".

The six piece of Evil macaroni open "Family" an OK aggressive ska/punk song with ranting vocals ala Link 80.
"Sorted for Cheese & Crisps" is an average oi! / streetpunk style song. The lyrics for the chorus are a bit crap "you suck, dumb fuck, you're stuck with bad luck"."Home sick home" is a slow skanking number the highlight being John on Melodica.

The band have two guitarists but only one horn player, which makes it easier to play punk with a trumpet than ska/punk with melodic / catchy horn parts. The finale "What could have been" falls into this trap its a sub standard king Prawn song really.

Overall Lightyear rock and completely outclass Evil Macaroni, who aren't that bad either.
Positive Outlook Recordings.
14 Huntly Grove, Peterborough, PE1 4DJ.
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LightYear - Just another Demonstration.
4 out of 5.

This three track single shows the progress the Derby ska/punk band have made from their split CD with Evil Macaroni which was excellent Poppy-punky-ska to a harder punk/ska sound which the band have been belting out in their gigs for the last year.
Fans will remember these tunes from the 8 piece's live set and they will quickly become favourites, people hearing the band for the first time should only need a few extra listens before the horn parts and chorus's get stuck in your0 head.

"Glass" crashes in at around 2 minutes, with the two guitars cranking out punk joined by the brass three piece, which only lets up on the pre-chorus.
"Ooh no, not me arteries" is the best track on the CD. Fast paced skanking punk/ska with layered vocals that work to good effect.
"Kid dynamite" is another good number with a catchy chorus over a punk riff. Even though Lightyear have two guitarists the distorted riffs are always quite low down in the mix so the vocals and horns always stand out.

Overall its another great UK punk/ska release, someone should sign them up to do an album.
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Link 80 / Capdown Split 7".
4.5 out of 5.

This basically has to be the best single of 2000. The definitive hardcore ska/punk or ska'rdcore release. With a UK band almost matching a US act.

In "For the crown" Link 80 have perhaps produced their finest moment, its better than Verbal kint, evil Twin and Nothing left. With very catchy horns and riff its also stays punk and like most Link 80 songs the verse rocks along. Its just the horn lick gives it something extra. Think of "evil twin" but not quite as fast with better brass part and your almost there. (check out my top 10 on the "what I've been listening to recently" page on the web site, this song should still be there.)

Capdown retort with probably there best ska/punk track "ska wars" although this isn't a new track they have re-recorded it, with the aide of the Link 80 brass section. Basically its the same punky track with a real fast skank, but it now has beefed up belting horns. Opinion seems to be divided over whether its better than the original a lot of Capdown fans think the first version is better but others prefer the Link 80 inclusion.
Capdown continue unaided on track, a new song "Pound for the sound" the sax is on this throughout the number, that is more ska/punk than hardcore although it does get real punky at the end which adds to the track. It's actually a good song and as good as a lot of the stuff on the Civil Disobedients album.

Link 80 final blow isn't as good as "for the crown", but give 'em the chance, this single was recorded in one day on the last day of Link 80's stay in Europe. Once they'd finished at 2am they got a plane home and played on the Plea for Peace tour the next day.
"Incident" is about vocalist Ryan stopping a fight in Scotland on the tour, this quickly penned tune is still a good track but as we'd been spoiled with the brilliant tracks on the "struggle" album and the first track. Jut this doesn't quite live up to them but is still has a good chorus and the horn part is quite enticing, just the intro is a bit dodgy.

Overall "For the crown" makes the single worth buying for this track. The 2 Capdown tracks seem them perform above the level and "incident" isn't bad either.
Household Name records.
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Lubby Nugget - Subtle Crucial.
3.5 out of 5.

This year has seen some great UK ska/punk bands hitting the road and putting out top notch releases. King Prawn, capdown, Shootin Goon, Uncle Brian and now Lubby Nugget.

The Leeds outfit have released one of the best albums of the year. There's now no need to buy UK ska albums just cos the bands are local, you're now buying them because there better than there US counterparts.

I saw the Nugget boys on the Moon Tour and I have to say they were perhaps the least impressive, I thought a few too many of their tunes veered towards metal/ska, but "subtle crucial redresses the balance and shows its more frantic punk/ska.

The band go one step further than Shootin goon whereas the goons style is mainly poppy ska with punk light guitars. Lubby Nugget crank up the distortion and beef up the riffs.

"A visit from the crack fairy" is a pumping instrumental that lets you know what your in for. Straight after "rambo no5" is a frenetic one to get in the pit for, it only stops for a short slow skank break.

"Clatsby's disco dinner" is a bit more of a standard clean guitar skank with distorted chorus, though its very catchy - probably why they put it on the free moon sampler.
"flump" and "on the floor" are the best tracks on the album and like most tracks tell the tale of smoking, drinking, doing drugs and having sex. "on the floor" is only short but its has the most catchy chorus ever known.
"Flump" has another wicked slowed down part that makes it stand out. "flesh pimp" keeps up the quality after "on the floor", its a tale about a girl who wants to have sex with the band - this is mostly cool ska offbeat guitar until the end when the pace is picked up for another catchy chorus.

"donut bomb" start slow but picks up to be one of the poppiest numbers on the album. "S.D.W" is a slow number that is only memorable for its duplicated horn sound before ending with a thrashy finish.
"Towny boy" is a punk tune with horns that disses the fakes who think they're cool. The 7 piece tell us where there'd like to stick their skateboards if they came across a towny boy in a fake Ralph Lauren shirt.
"Working her" is a slightly crude sex song and "beava rita" sees the band keep up with the sex tales but "one club city" is an altogether better song.
"1-900-tomsis" never really catches on but does have a few good moments.
"booty" ends the album on a bit better note, but after all the excellent work on the 1st half of the album the 2nd doesn't quite live up to its excellent standards. Its the best moon ska Europe release but its just 2 excellent tracks from being an all time ska/punk classic.
Moon Ska Europe.
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MU330 - Crab Rangoon.
4.5 out of 5.

This is the  3rd album from band that are named after their music class. This is an A grade album that is as good as their latest effort “MU330” which was out this year. (Reviewed last issue)
‘Crab Rangoon’ was released in late 1997 and was the album that really gave the band national attention. It was also the album where the band perfected their ska-rock-punk mix which has lead to comparisons of a ska/punk version of  Weezer.
‘Crab Rangoon’ has the same line up as the current album with Dan potthast vox/guitar, Ted Moll drums, Chris diebold bass, Rob Bell trombone and Gerry Lundquist trombone.
Like the current album there are no weak tracks and you can see why the band have kept the same formula of ska-punk/rock as the first tree tracks are class ‘tune me out’,

 ‘Ireland’ and ‘funny papers’. The latter being a song about Drummer Ted Moll getting and recovering from  Testicular
cancer. 'The struggle of Helen’ is a more acoustic song reminds me of The Jam’s ‘That's Entertainment’ but its better ! ‘Good homes’ and ‘organic gun’ and both brilliant as is ‘Jason’ as song about ex singer Jason Nelson, now with Orangetree (see Jump Up section)
Overall its a must for fans of MU330’s latest album, in fact its a must for all ska/punk fans.
Asian Man Records.
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MU330 - Chumps on Parade.
3 out of 5.

St Louis’ finest’s 2nd album ‘Chumps on parade’ sees the band still try to perfect there sound. This release is not as good as the latest two, but still has its good moments. The band feature Jason Nelson vocals, Nick Baur Trumpet and Tratgen Bilsland on Tenor sax who have all now left but theres not Gerry Lundquist on this album.

This is definitely a more rock/ska album than the latest 2 LP’s. With The Punisher/Downton being almost metal/ska, but never the less still one of the best tracks along with  ‘curse’ - good sax solo, ‘LA’and ‘Rok’. There are not as many catchy or memorable tracks and Dan Potthast lyrics have improved and the band are better with him on main vocals.
Asian Man Records.
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MU330 - "Winter Wonderland".
4 out of 5.

This special Christmas album, is MU330's fifth studio album, buts it hard to decide to judge it as a proper album, whereas its probably just a filler between "MU330" and the next album. All in all, it would be an excellent filler, from a band that already released an album in 1999 or a fairly good mix of new songs and Christmas covers.

The covers first. "I heard the bells on Christmas day" is really good, especially the horns, "Angels we have heard on high" perhaps isn't as good but is still a worthy cover, as the St Louis band punk up the traditional hymn. The albums ends with the folky acoustic tale of a poor family's Christmas, which isn't really up to much.

Of the Dan Pottshast penned tunes "I got this neighbor" is about Santa moving in next door, its really a punky skanky song with added horns, nothing brilliant. The same could be said about "Christmas, Merry Christmas" which has a Mike Park (W)rap (!) and the words "Christmas, Merry Christmas to you, Ho! Ho! Ho!".  Think MU330 covering a VGS song.

There are two classic MU330 songs on the album, that deserve to be included on the band's live set all year round. "This year more than ever" and "December" are really emotional catchy songs, both would easily fit into the bands last release "MU330".
"This year more than ever" is very similar to Weezer's "Holiday", which may take something away from its originality but its still the best song on the album.

"Everyday Christmas", the albums opener is another typical MU330 good tune, "The Ghost of Christmas" is a fast punky number that's no much more than average.
"Three days til Christmas" is a skanking uptempo party tune that's one of the top tunes on the album.

Overall a brilliant album for a Christmas and not a bad album for the rest of the year.
Asian Man Records.
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OrangeTree - “Fixing Stupid”.
2 / 5.

OrangeTree's debut is very much a ska/rock affair, with a mix of ska/pop and ska/rock songs. With ex-MU330 vocalist Jason Nelson the band obviously draw comparisons to St Louis finest, and it would be best to some up Orangetree as sounding like a bit more poppy version of MU330's 'Chumps on Parade'.
The album starts off well, kicking off with 'chop top' that has a cool 'n' catchy in your face brass part and good backing vocals, that makes the chorus one of the most memorable moments on the album.
'Alligator' is a rocking guitar song with added horns. 'Wally's revival' is a fast skanking song that never really takes off.
'Pretzels' is a slower rock/ska number that doesn't work at all and sounds a bit corny.
'Makin' out' and 'I'm going ya ya' are both good tracks fast rocky tracks with added horn breaks, that could almost be classed as ska-core.
Unfortunalty the album doesn't keep up the punchy rock/ska standard.
'Soda' is an OK power pop/ska song, 'you know it' has a quite good intro, 'shaker' and 'what the...' aren't anything special.
Thankfully the album rises for a rousing finish with 'felicity' a punky rock song with horns, that is one of the best tracks on the album.
Overall 'chop top', 'Makin' out', 'I'm going ya ya' and  'felicity' are worth listening to fairly often, but the rest can be kept for a rainy day.
Jump Up Records.
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OrangeTree - OrangeTree.
2.5 out of 5.

The St. Louis band return one year on with their sophomore release that sees the band turn to a more Arena rocking sound with brass than ska/punk skanking guitar with blaring horns.
The lasting effect is that if you haven't either 99's "Fixing stupid" or the new album, you get a choice of buying an album with 4 decent Ska/punk songs and 7 average tracks. (Fixing stupid - which is reviewed in Ska-face#5) Or an album with 10 punk / hard rock songs and two slow numbers (This album) or neither.

The bands second album only has a couple of tracks that are as good as "Fixing stupid"'s highlights, but all the rest of the tracks are better than the average numbers of the debut outing.

Basically if you know some-one who's got both albums get them to tape the best songs for you and you've got a 3.5 / 5 album. Rather than "fixing stupid" 2 /5 and "Orangetree" 2.5 / 5.

Opener "Miserable" and "Bad apples" are examples of the bands new direction dropping the skank for chugging guitar. Its not long before track 3 "That's not you" follows suit during the chorus. The verse has a slow guitar-lite skank although the guitar rock break is quite good.

"Eye to Eye" is one of the highlights a distorted skanking number with a catchy chorus.
One of the bands good points is the high pitched pop/rock vocals of Jason Nelson, whose takes his influences from the '80 hard rock US scene.
A lot of the other songs stick to the rock chugging guitar formula, with the exception of "Fall apart" an '80's rock sounding Ballard type number. Its actually quite good! Its kinda like an Aerosmith style number.
"Those loose ends" is a rocking number that's quite good and the album ends with an acoustic number with vocal harmonies. The band have got some ok tunes and probably go down well live (They should be in the UK soon) but like with their first album there are just to many standard tunes that after the album has finished you just remember how they went.
Jump Up! Records.
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Oxymoron - The Pack is Back.
4 / 5

Germany's top streetpunk merchants show why their one of DKM's favourite bands on this 14 track album released in '97.
The band recently completed UK tour and before that laid down two tracks for a split 7" with the Dropkicks.
This album sees the Germans mix a heavy slice of punk and Oi with an aggressive attitude and then they stamp all over it with a pair of size 11 Doc Martens.

With "Get a gun" the band launch of into a full Oi assualt, questioning those who fight in wars "I'm not sorry for your lot, its your job to get shot", "what does a hero feel about, when the rest of his fellow is lying in the ground?"
"Down the drain" is a very catchy punk/oi number, that has the band rallying for all punks and the injustices of the rich and poor. Just as you congratulate yourself for buying a great album "Razor's blade" kicks in, keeping up the momentum from previous track.
"Razors blade" is the best track on the album, starting off at full tilt, the main riff along with drums stomps all over anything that has gone before it and the chorus can be shouted along too with a great lead guitar riff underneath it.
"You're a bore (you whore) is average, but it doesn't help having three top tracks before it.
Thankfully "We rule OK" sees the band back to their best, with a track that is an anthem to a new generation of streetpunks and skins.
"Take 'em all and take the piss, its time for a new riot"
and the chorus "were the best cause were the ones, its not the class that you are from, yes, all minorities get oppresses, but were the ones so fuck the rest, ... I don't think I conform."
"Bleed" follows on, but doesn't stand out and "concrete Jungle" only serves to show that slow tracks don't really suit the punk/Oi masters and its only any good when it speeds up a bit.
"Kamikaze" is back to full speed, with another good lead guitar harmony.
"The pigs" is a verbal assault on the police, with the band complaining about the boys in blue always nicking the underdogs.
"Scream & shout", "insane" and "weirdoz" (which was re-recorded from the split 7" with DKM. End the album with 3 crackers, like the album started really.
Overall the albums has about 4 weak tracks out of 14 but its still more consistent than anything DKM or Bombshell Rocks have put out.
Knockout Records.
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Oxymoron - Crisis identity.
4.5 out of 5.

Whilst not American the Oxy's are  probably the best band on both Skins 'N' Pins and the Cock sparrer tribute. Well  the band come into their own on this three track 7". All three tracks are excellent especially the title track, which must the German acts best effort so far. With an infectious stomping sinalong chorus (as infectious as the cock sparrer cover) all at a fast pace. "Crisis Identity" is a brilliant track, and well worth getting just for this track.
None of the tracks feature on any of the bands albums, but are definitely not left overs from any LP's.
"F.O.E." is another good song, although not as fast and furious as the opener but still good.
Taking influence from 1984 and Clockwork Orange, the Oxy's deliver a message for Droogs to watch out, as big brothers watching.
A slow number, but neverless it still it still has a good tune and must go down as one of the Germans best tracks.
Overall "Crisis Identity" and "big brother" are brilliant and FOE's pretty good too. Buy It.
Knockout Records.
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The Pietasters - Awesome mix tape#6.
4.5 out of 5.

Ok so this is a cool album, there's not doubt about that. 'Chain reaction' is a cool laid back ska beat with smooth soul ska horns. 'Yesterdays over' is a top stomping soul track. 'Crying over you' is a more rocksteady/soul number with top harmonica and backing vox. 'Everyday with you' has ace Latin style horns with an insatiable dancing beat.
The dub like tune of 'Can't stand it' with Dj selah. The soul ska of 'spiderview' and 'take some time' as well as the rocking 'somebody' (which sounds a bit No doubt-ish), 'what I do' and 'chooch's bitch'.
The albums definitely better than 'willies' but I'm not sure whether its better than 'oolooloo', the bands Moon Ska debut.
That was a brilliant sing along 2-toneish ska, like Bad Manners with a soul flavour. Whereas 'Awesome mix tapes#6' is more brilliant laid back soul with some rocky numbers.
Pulped and Do the Dog have said this is the 'tasters best album, but I think its to close to call. Never the less both releases are awesome.
Hellcat Records.
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The Porters - Are in the black.
3 out of 5.

Brett E Warren & Doug Woolsey return to the Detroit scene with there much anticipated amphetamine soul based band The porters.
The ex parka kings duo team up with Mike & James Sobieski, Brad Cass and Chris Cox for 13 soul charged tracks. Taking the Parka kings energy and raw emotion mixing with it with a lethal brass pumping duo and Brett's laid back organ sound.
Highlights include "gonna get loose" which see's Brett give 110% and whip himself up into a vocal frenzy, the more chilled out "Hangin on" with Doug on vocals and the foot stompin "Freezing".
"Beautiful thing" shows the band aren't just about stomping soul, as this slow track displays Brett's amazing emotional vocal talent.
"don't lean on me" and "Just can't get ahead" are 2 other slower tunes that don't quite work as well as "Beautiful thing". The rest of the album is mainly soul pumping stuff not as good as the brilliant Parka kings, but surely The Porters are better than nothing at all from the ashes of the Detroit ska band.
Jump Up Records.
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Dan Potthast - 'Eyeballs'.
4.5 out of 5.

Acoustic albums are something I've always been unsure about, how can you get cool ska or in your face aggressive punk rock with just one guy and his un-distorted guitar.
Well you can't, but you can you get are some brilliantly crafted pop/indie songs.
Every MU330 fan will appreciate this as Dan is the vocalist/guitar man  for the band.
Here on his own, with his guitar and sometimes a harmonica he belts out some really catchy, sing-along tunes.
'I went in', 'Same Page', 'I've set sail' and 'Perryville' are brilliant.
'Where's Teddy' features on the new Asian Man sampler and is another cool tune. This album is great and its really hard to take it off your stereo.
'another name in a magazine' and 'my favorite song' will have you tapping your foot.
'Heavy' is a brilliant laid back track which show how much Dan's vocals contribute to making this CD great.
The lyrics to Oil change are a bit cringewrothy and Dan seems to have an obsession with eyes with 'eyeballs' and '8 eyes'.
But it could be the best album I've heard all year.
Asian Man Records.
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Pressure Point/The Randums - cow town boot boys.
3.5 out of 5.

2 tracks each from two of the USA's top street punk acts.
Pressure Point star t off paying homage to their heroes, the 4-skins with a cover of the bands anthem "Chaos", a pretty standard cover, no real difference to the original, just a slightly faster version. They then showcase there own material with "bitter end". A slow start, but the song soon gets going, unfortunately the songs not really catchy enough to be a great song and I'm not to keen on the vocalist voice. OK you know its gonna be more shouting than singing, but his throaty voice doesn't really impress.

Whereas Pressure Point are your typical Oi! Band, The Randums are a mix of melodic hardcore and streetpunk.
"Issues" is classy sped up street punk song and is followed by "Ike Wit" (geddit?) fast paced punk, thrashing drums, shouting vocals, chorus you can join in on, its as good as anything by the big Epitaph bands.

Overall The Randums put out 2 brilliant songs and P.P's cover of "chaos" isn't too bad either.
Flat Records. PO BOX 7504 Quincy, Mass. USA.
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