It’s perhaps an understatement that the number of 2-Tone bands around now is in sharp decline as the scenesters decide that ska is no longer their music of choice. With that in mind you have to reserve a certain measure of respect for bands like Smoke Like A Fish who bring their mix of trad stomp and ska sensibilities to the table without a shred of ego or a eye on the popularity bandwagon. Having said that, none of these sentiments mean a thing if the band in question doesn’t cut the mustard, since all the good intentions in the world don’t make a good tune.
Luckily, ‘Survival of the Hip’est’ is an accomplished album that manages to avoid the repetitiveness of, say, The Toasters or The Selecter‘s latest album. The energy of the fantastically hummable ‘Repeat Offender’ is as contagious as the melodies of the chorus which bounces along with all the enthusiasm of a horny rabbit. ‘Cry Billy’s horn line is simply irresistible as it melds superbly with Dyl’s vocals, and thankfully there’s enough interplay between Nick’s keyboard and Schnell’s bass to ensure the structure remains interesting enough to carry through. ‘Just Another’ is a perfect example of how SLAF take the blueprint for the 2-Tone sound and add their own harmonies and melodies to create a trademark sound that while obviously borrowing from The Specials or Madness, has enough originality stand alone.
The languid ‘Poison’ does stray too close to being repetitive, since the same melody is repeated over and over again – it’s confusing as to why SLAF let themselves revert to such laziness since there’s adequate evidence throughout the album when they let their own ideas and creativity take over. On the equally laid-back ‘Roses’ they turn a simple horn line into a quite affecting vocal line as the bass provides the bedrock of the song, and placed next to ‘Poison’ it’s far more impressive.
As an album, ‘Survival…’ is greatly impressive in that it demonstrates a profound knowledge of the 2-Tone genre while being able to innovate and work around these confines to provide a mature album that rarely feels lethargic or ripped-off. Being as it is, a demonstration of both the band’s talents and a strong advert for Do The Dog and the homegrown ska scene, it’s ideal as an entry point for those hitherto uninitiated into the world of the horn section.
Ben
www.dothedog.com
www.smokelikeafish.co.uk