Pop quiz, hotshot: name a band hailing from the west coast that features Steve Bruce on trombone and is rather partial to a little ska. No? Well, The Hostiles is that band. Sure, it may be the west coast of Scotland rather than California, and it might not be the Steve Bruce that fortified United at centre-back, but it’s blatantly apparent that this band does indeed love third wave ska music. Its influences are plastered all over this debut album.
From the opening title track the number one influence on show is Big D and the Kids Table. It’s not just a similar brand of skacore but near identical, especially the vocals. A Scotsman that sounds like a diminutive Bostonian? Novel to say the least. ‘True or False’ sounds at times as though it could have been lifted from the last Goldfinger record, whilst ‘Ashley’ is dripping with the scent of Zebrahead/Reel Big Fish. The closing moments of final track ‘Bad Day For Shorts’ prove to be the most intriguing of the album, sounding like they’ve been dipped in The Flaming Tsunamis‘ pool of vitality; it’s rambunctious and noisy which makes for anything but traditional skacore and as such, an interesting listen.
So is there anything unique o this album? No, not really. But then again third wave ska isn’t so much known for innovation. It’s all about having a good time, smile on your face. There’s plenty of that on ‘Always Looking Forward’. It’s upbeat, effervescent, bouncy and danceable (not just foot-tappingly so either). You get the sense that it’s one or two big choruses away from being truly infectious, but you’ll take that from a debut record.
Ultimately there’s nothing hostile about The Hostiles. It’s all fizzy pop skacore that wouldn’t be out of place getting off the Reel Big Fish tour bus. It’s not original by a long shot but that’s just fine. This is an album for people that like the genre. If you’re such a person this is a nice stop gap before the new Big D record drops. If you’re not, you already know you’re going to dislike this offering, right?
Alex