If I actually believed reviews of Cds I’d have dismissed this as shite before I’d even heard it. Sure, this isn’t the same Catch-22 that made ‘Keasby Nights’, and come to think of it the band differs from ‘Alone In A Crowd’ too, but ‘Dinosaur Sounds’ is still a great record. Ok, so maybe they shouldn’t be masquerading around as a band that has had more band members than I’ve had hot dinners, but still, this record wants to make me get my groove on, and surely that’s the point of a ska album?
If ‘Alone In A Crowd’ was anything to go by it looked as though C22 were heading towards a more skacore direction, with the lyrics darker and the riffs heavier, but ‘Dinosaur Sounds’ jettisons that approach and sparks a more laid back and fuses more jazz, reggae and ska elements. There are bits which are harder and faster, but these are used sparingly and more effectively than in the past. Ryan Eldred and Kevin Gunther now take up the vocal reins, sparing on many of the songs and it’s these harmonies which really make this record stand out from some of the other ska bands knocking about. The opening ‘Rocky’ is great, riffs bouncing out from all over, showing that the Steve Evetts (Saves The Day) production is bang on. The horns are excellent; they’re not used too much and seem to hit the right spot every time.
The tracks rattle on as ‘Beguile The Time’ and ‘Wine Stained Lips’ push through with some groove orientated riffs, while ‘Motown Cinderella’ is a Catch 22 classic and will have you swaying around in no time. This is classic good time ska music that’s fun. There was a sense that this band stopped being fun, tracks like this quash that rumour stone dead. ‘Chin Up’ has a laid back feel too with the chorus catchy and anthemic. There’s certainly a Mad Caddies vibe and feel to this record, so if you’re a fan of the Caddies I think you’ll dig this album. ‘Dripping Faucet’ is marvellous, horns coming out from all over the shop as the guitars buzz and bite around the vocal line, while ‘Regression’ is up beat and a little corker. There may not be a ‘Dear Sergio’ on here, but as a whole this is a good album.
If you ignore the history and the line-up changes, ‘Dinosaur Sounds’ is a great comeback. I’m not a huge ska fan, but when it’s done well I love it and I can see this album being played for weeks and months to come. It’s got a good, fun vibe to it and while we wait for the likes of Howards Alias and the Mad Caddies to come back and hit us with new records, this one will do very nicely. Don’t always believe reviews, even this one, because it’s proof that using your own ears will give you the best verdict possible. Catch 22 have come back with a new line up, but also with 13 songs and 33 minutes of fun-packed ska anthems.
www.njcatch22.com
Victory Records
Paul