This is a really fun record. I think I’ve said many times that I’m not really a ska fan, but this record reminds me of Goldfinger when they were good. It’s full of catchy riffs and hook-filled choruses and there are plenty of singalong moments too. The brass is used to just the right amount and it flies through in no time at all, always the sign of a good record.
The 13 tracks here are all brassy and full of fun. ‘Over The Edge’ and ‘Real Rat Bastard’ are massive singalongs, ‘Hit Me! Hit Me!’ is another track with a huge chorus – even a little Bosstones-esque in places – while ‘Life Is Too Short’ is fun, fun, fun. Mustard Plug know their limitations so they just do what they do with the minimum of fuss and the maximum amount of good songs. ‘In Black and White’ is even good enough to convert those non-ska fans among us!