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Ska Band Shows New Creativity
After months of anticipation, the new project from campus ska band FC Groove, Skanking Undercover, is out on fictional Lukewarm Kiddiepool records. For those interested in a somber, morose project, this is probably one to skip. The album reeks of fun, from the mariachi-tinged opener "Last Time," to "Pirates and Parrot," the album's rousing closer.
The album is carried by the strong rhythm section of Jared Porter's bass and Cliff Swaim's inventive machine-gun drumming. Jedidiah Kinderknecht handles the rapid fire vocals aptly, utilizing a half-singing, half-rapping style reminiscent of the Supertones Matt Morginsky. Sax player Michael Jaeger adds his vocal talent to "Master G," which is easily the album's highlight. Michael and his brother James adds a punchy horn section that comes through especially well on the song "Reason" where James lets out a killer trumpet solo. The septet is rounded out nicely by the upbeat guitar work of Isaac Porter and the well-placed keyboard and scratching antics by Doug Daft, as heard on "Master G" and "Pirates and Parrot."
The bands influences are somewhat varied, and the musical aspect of the album definately shows this to be true. The band covers everything from rap to reggae to funk to punk to power pop to stuff that sounds like it should be played overhead in Chi-Chis. The ska-core bass, however holds true to whole project, and the band can be compared to a goofier Supertones of what the Insyderz might sound like if they didn't scream. |
