So it’s official then. Ska is dead. What with Reel Big Fish releasing their new album with the trumpets turned down, Five Iron Frenzy going into new age pop punk nonsense and numerous ska punk bands losing the brass, is this the finally the end of the line for third wave ska? Not if the Mighty Mighty Bosstones have anything to do with it. Dickie Barrett’s sharp suited veterans have released a record full of chilled out summer vibes, raucous saxophone infected punk and a lot more besides that is guaranteed to keep you skanking at least until Christmas.
After their last record, ‘Pay Attention’, hit platinum sales and ‘The Impression That I Get’ caught the attention of the chart compilers back in 1997, many forecast worldwide domination for the Bosstones. For one reason or another, it just did not happen, and, yet again, many are forecasting that with ‘A Jackknife To A Swan’, they will break through into more mainstream popularity. It couldn’t happen to a bunch of nicer guys.
Everything about ‘AJTAS’ screams quality. The artwork is, to be quite honest, marvellous. A brightly coloured and wonderfully illustrated sleeve and some excellent drawings on the back of the case that all relate to the respective tracks show that SideOneDummy have not skimped on the budget for the project. The production is also spot on. You can easily pick out every instrument, be it Bosstone or Bass, and the rest of the band beautifully backs up Barrett’s unmistakable, visceral vocals.
The title track that opens the CD is vintage Bosstones. The guitar and bass combine delightfully and the vocal work is perfect throughout, as well as the innovative lyrical work. ‘Mr Moran’ is up next and is easily my album highlight. The story is of gangster ‘Sammy the Bull’ told from the first person, and the snappy guitar riff and the perfect vocal interchange on the chorus make it a pleasure to listen to.
‘You Gotta Go’ is featured on the latest Warped Tour Compilation and you can see why. Fast paced ska punk at it’s finest. Going from one extreme to the other, ‘Everybody’s Better’ is a slow paced number, made for people who like to sway when listening to music! The sing along chorus that the band appear to have perfected over the years is present again, and it leads perfectly into ‘Sugar Free’ and then the almost anthemic ‘City’ with its cry of ‘I want my city back, back the way it used to be, I want it back the way it was’.
‘Chasing The Sun’ is another trumpet led summery ska number, and the rousing ‘Win’ is a solid punk infused song, similar in parts to ‘Old School’ which follows. ‘Punchline’ is probably the only weak song on the album. It just doesn’t catch the attention like its compatriots and I found myself skipping to the slightly bizarre, but ultimately enjoyable ‘Go Big’. With Barrett’s motivational lyrics and bouncing verse and chorus, it’s another album highlight.
The jaunting ‘Luck’ and the acoustic ‘Seven Ways’ close the album, and while not up to the standard of the first half, they are more than listenable and show the quality of the band even when they aren’t at their world beating best, which they most definitely are throughout the other 11 tracks.
Consistent is probably the best word to describe the Bosstones. Not ones to unnecessarily break the mould, they do, however produce a constant stream of high quality ska punk in a world where high quality ska punk is in very short supply. Perfect for the summer months, and amongst stiff competition, the Bosstones at their best. I for one can’t wait to see them live in October.
Ross
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