From the Sturgeon's Mouth: Ska and Punk Band Reviews
These are the Sturgeon's heartfelt opinions about particular bands. Remember, you can listen to some their music at the Sturgeon's Audiophiles page.
Against All Authority
This political ska/punk band from Miami, Florida powerfully mixes brash lyrics and guitar playing with ska horn upwellings. Very exciting stuff. The message is as good as the music: No racism, sexism, drug use, gangs, oppression, etc. Essentially, get rid of all of those "bad things." In the the band's three major releases, they have become progressively less "ska".
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: Lifestyle of Rebellion, No Reason
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: Destroy What Destroys You
Anti-Flag
The Sturgeon likes angry music. The Sturgeon dislikes police brutality, unequal distribution of wealth, death, and oppression. This punk band agrees. Harsh, vulgar, violent songs are the norm for Anti-Flag, a group which employs the traditional singing method of "screaming shrilly." But it works. And you can ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND THE LYRICS!!! Anti-Flag makes sure to tell its audience just how much it hates faux-punks and pure fatalistic pessimists (listen to "Summer Squatter Go Home" and "Rotten Future"). Turn to the spiky-haired guys for grungy, screechy protest. A problem -- such songs as "Kill the Rich" are a bit extreme. Additionally, the musical scoring isn't particularlly inspired.
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: Red, White, and Brainwashed, You'd Do the Same
The sturgeon's Album Choice: Die For the Government
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is a long-lived hardcore/punk band with excitingly complex music and an interesting take on social issues. The group's songs include insults to religion, modernity,nuclearism, and societal revolution. Pleasantly, the tunes are not overly harsh and the singing emphasizes articulation over pure noise. The band's style has softened noticably over the years, but that might not be a bad thing.
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: 21st Century Digital Boy, The Answer
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: Bad Religion: All Ages (essentially, greatest hits)
Desmond Dekker
This vocalist was one of the ska originators, livening up 1960s Jamaica. His sweet voice has soared in three decades of artistry. 007 (Shanty Town) made an impact in the U.S.A. after the release of Jimmy Cliff's film "The Harder They Come". In the 1990s, Dekker teamed up with the Specials for new songs.
The sturgeon's song Choices: Israelites, Carry Go Bring Come
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: The Original Rude Boy: The Best of desmond Dekker
Digger
This punk/rock group has a distinctive sound and style. It's music, alas, is a bit too cacaphonous for the Sturgeon's liking.
the Sturgeon's Song Choices: Pieces, Quitters Never Win
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: The Promise of An Uncertain Future
Dropkick Murphys
This Irish-Bostonian hardcore is energetic, impassioned, and well-accented. Dropkick Murphys display a mix of unusual remakes (Cadence to Arms, Finnegan's Wake, Charlie on the MTA), fast and curious barroom labor music (Never Alone, Fightstarter Karaoke), and softer Old Country (Caught in a Jar, Far Away Coast)songs. Much of the music is strongly political (although never too far left) and a good portion of the rest either mocks alcoholism or joyously revels in brotherhood. Unfortunately, Mike McCulgan, the old lead singer, has left the group. His replacement sings fine hardcore but never sounds particularly "Irishy". Listen for the bagpipes in "Cadence to Arms"! Slam to this in your undershirt.
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: Memories Remain, Boys on the Docks
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: Do or Die
Edna's Goldfish
This New York City ska/punk outfit has a highly distinctive sound. It's music blends traditional influences with many of the more modern ones. Brian Diaz has quite appealing vocals and the horn section performs excellently. The Sturgeon's main concern is that many of their songs sound very much alike. While it makes for good listening, the release "Before You Knew Better..." could be best thought of as a single, 30 minute song.
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: I'm Your Destiny, Eventually, Anyway
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: Before You Knew Better
Falling Sickness
The Sturgeon put on his CD of "Because The World Has Failed Us Both" with high expectations. Thirty-four minutes later, he didn't know what to think. This punk band from California (Beware! Hopeless Records labels them ska/punk even though they have no horn section and any formal beat is barely discernable!) has a not unexpected loud and hard sound. What is stunning is this complete lack of rhythm or tune in any of the songs present on the group's second CD. Additionally, although the band is just as anti-establishment as it's billed, it's songs actually seem to promote apathy and a sense of "let me just lay down and die -- painfully". The music is not without merit, however. The band's vocalist distinguishes himself by being completely incomprehensible. While this may seem like a rather dubious honor, it's very fitting,considering the songs' fast, anti-melodic style. If you feel angry and tired, "Falling Sickness" could be for you.
Five Iron Frenzy
This ska/punk/rock/metal band has one of the least-imitated styles around. Whether or not that's good, you'll have to decide. If it weren't for the horns, I'd be willing to simply designate this group as "strange". The songs, however, are catchy and pleasant if you can get past the occaisional wailing vocals. I have a feeling Five Iron Frenzy is best appreciated live. Note: Beware of Tom Jones!
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: A Flowery Song, Where 0 Meets 15
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: Five Iron Frenzy Life: Proof That the Youth Are Revolting
Hepcat
While it's tempting to simply lable this band as "traditonal ska", they really have a unique sound. The horns get plenty of soft play in slow, melodic compostions. It isn't quite the Sturgeon's style, but he respects the group's talent. Hepcat has a very large and loyal following.
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: Country Time, Black Sky
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: Scientific
The Hippos
A nice, peppy, feel-good ska/pop/punk band, the Hippos are, simply, FUN. This group's music has interesting throwbacks to, surprisingly, the Beatles (listen to "Wasting My Life"). The nasal, softly sung vocals fit the mostly love-related song lyrics. Although all of the music by this band that the Sturgeon has heard falls thoroughly within the realm of "ska", the group's three horns seem under-utilized. A keyboard and electronic work are used to provide much of the beat. This is the ultimate in catchy, harmless ska. Check the Hippos out.
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: Far Behind, Lost It
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: Heads Are Gonna Roll
Less Than Jake
This punk/ska band makes, above all, pleasant music. The guitar and horn segments work on seperate but oddly fun tunes. If you want a non-offensive and harmless but high-quality band, go for LTJ. A small porportion of its music has an upstanding social message. Overall, however, the lyrics and plotlines of the songs are nothing to give an award for. Lamentations of small-town life fill almost the entire "Hello Rocview". We can heartily congratulate the band members on managing to escape this apparnt suburban hell of their youth.
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: All My Best Friends Are Metalheads, Scott Farcas Takes It On the Chin
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: "Hello Rockview"
Long Beach Dub Allstars
This band, formed around the two remaining members of Sublime, excellently mixes ska, reggae, hip-hop, and punk. Not only are the styles unpredictable and well-styled, but the singing is incredible. Guest stars include Barrington Levy, Feat, Dangr, and Tippa Irie. All perform wonderfully. By the end of a listening to this band, you'll feel as though you've smoked as much marijuana as they have. The Sturgeon actually prefers this group to Sublime.
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: Saw Red, Rosarito
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: Right Back
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
These ska-core innovators have been, in the Sturgeon's opinion, done unprovoked harm by detracters. The Bosstones' early music combines spirited horn punches with inner-city guitar screams. Many of these youthful creations have a genuinely "naive" tone- They tend to revolve around not-quite-intelligent people reflecting on life. But, hey, it's fun! Their last release of new songs, "Let's Face It," however, marked a major departure in style. The Bosstone's turned into a quieter, social reform band. Although some have seen the new music's softer beat as a "sell-out" to pop, the Sturgeon can safely say that he has never heard anything like it before. Some of the new works (such as "The Rascal King" and "The Impression That I Get) are simply masterful.
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: Someday I Suppose, The Rascal King
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: Let's Face It
Mustard Plug
This spunky ska band produces the best dancng alternative music that the Sturgeon has ever heard. The group's first release, "Big Daddy Multitude," contains a few musical gems and creates a consistantly peppy mood. The happy sound continued in the albums "Evildoers Beware!" and "Pray To Mojo." The songs here find a perfect balance between the horns and the bass which work in a catchy point-counterpoint rythm. These are must-buys for any modern ska fan. Their music seems to have gotten progressively faster and harder -- not necessarily a bad thing.
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: Yesterday, Go
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: Evildoers Beware!
Pilfers
This five-piece reggae/ska/punk band, formed around the smooth voice of ex-Toaster, Coolie Ranx, nicely modernizes the genres. A few of their songs qualify, surprisingly, as "beautiful". This is especially surprising when you realize they hail from New York Cit. There isn't much of a social message hidden in here, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. One of the group's CDs asks the listener to "Elevate your mind, body and soul with the sound of the Pilfers". This is precisely the Sturgeon's advice. Relax.
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: Agua, Saga
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: Chawalaleng
Propagandhi
This Canadian punk band seems a prime example of what happens when ultra-liberals get into music. Their songs are fast, angry, and supremely political. Veganism, gay rights, anti-capitalism, and anti-sexism are all present. Fortunately, these songs have recognizable tunes and rhythms as well, something which many pure-punk bands singing a message forget about. Although artistry clearly isn't the main point of this music, it fairs rather well in creating complex and (dare the Sturgeon say it?) almost beautiful sound sequences.
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: Anchorless, Gifts
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: Less Talk, More Rock
Reel Big Fish
Despite hearing a multitude of complaints concerning this unimaginably-upbeat ska band's tendency to "sell-out," the Sturgeon lists them among his favorites. Reel Big Fish actually makes better use of it's four horns than most any other band out there. The instruments work in perfect unison. Even though the lyrics don't mean anything, excellent song-writing has produced some insanely funny tunes. A warning- some of the final songs on the albums seem to be not-very-good fillers. But the opening ones are fantastic.
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: Sell Out, I'm Cool
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: Why Do They Rock So Hard?
Save Ferris
It seems like the easiest way to get your "alternative youth" license taken away these days is to praise Save Ferris. True, this band is rather "poppy", but it's hard to absolutely rule out a group with a three-piece horn section. This sin't to say that the horns are utilized particularly well, but they're there all the same. The lead vocalist, Monique Powell has a strong, rich, yearning voice which, really WOULD be wasted in any profession besides singing. Because of this, it's impossible for the Sturgeon to disparage Save Ferris too much just because it doesn't fit neatly into the "ska" genre. There's a little secret, though -- many of the band's songs are actually very good.
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: Come On Eileen, Sorry My Friend
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: It Means Everything
The Scofflaws
This is top-'o-the-line urban/traditional ska. Don't expect anything too fast, too flashy, or even too Jamaican. Don't expect too many lyrics either. This is a melodic band with three (count 'em, three) saxophones and a piano. The songs don't have much of a message but are refreshingly "anti-stuffiness."
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: Paul Getty, Rudy's Back
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: The Scofflaws
Skankin' Pickle
The Sturgeon knows very little about this band. What he's heard online, he likes, but beware!!!: The so-called "Green Album" by this band is for fans only. It is made-up of assorted and sordid songs by other bands performed by Skankin' Pickle and sung by usually-occupied-with-instruments band members. Stay away. Please.
Strung Out
This punk band, widely spoken of for its new release, "Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues," thankfully avoids today's tendency toward random notes. Their songs have recognizable leitmotifs and interesting beats. Although the Sturgeon enjoys listening to their music, he laments that it isn't catchy enough; the rythms and words of the songs just don't stick. In spite of seemingly political album names, the majority of Strung Out's music stays away from isues of social reform.
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: Solitare, Firecracker
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues
Sublime
Sublime, sadly, attained fame shortly after its lead singer, Brad Nowell, died of a heroin overdose. "Fame" really IS the right word for it. Although the band only produced one popular album prior to this incident, it has since come out with four posthumous ones and still claims quite a bit of attention. Most noticable is the wide variety of genres represented in the music. The songs mix pyschadelic punk with reggae and rock. There is a definite social message in some of the tunes but it lies hidden: the songs simply relate events, they don't provide criticism of them.
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: Wrong Way, What I Got
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: Sublime
The Suicide Machines
This punk group produces excellent, fast music with a recognizable beat. Their release "Battle Hymns" is almost entirely devoted to rantings of political extremism. "Destrction By Definition" takes the opposite approach, focusing on melody and spending only a few tracks espousing ultra-liberalism. Can't blame them though -- it's good music either way. If you want to hear REAL speed punk try out songs like "Numbers" and "Strike". And now the bad news -- This band's latest release is, oddly, self-titled. They completely reverted to harmless (and not very good) pop.
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: Islands, Face Values
The Sturgeon's Album Choice: A tie. If you like politics, get "Battle Hymns", otherwise, get "Destruction By Definition"
The Toasters
This ska band ushered in the Third Wave. The group has a distinctively jazzy feel and is unafraid to use its horns as rhythm modifiers, not just carriers for the melody. These fellows popularized two-tone. "It's a 90's beat on a 50's sound." The songs don't always have a social message, but The Toasters have found time put out a few anti-establishment tunes.
The Sturgeon's Song Choices: Two-Tone Army, Daddy Cry
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Email: sturgeoman@aol.com
