by TheHitSession MC
Ska-punk. It's been done before, by some pretty good bands. When I want it hard, I listen to Rancid. When I want it fun, I dig out my Mighty Mighty Bosstones CD's. When I want it hard and fun, I listen to Catch 22. Catch 22, from East Brunswick, NJ, mix a smokin' brass section with snappy vocals, guitars, and a machine-gun percussion section. These guys are pros - witness the glossy intro cut, suitably titled, "Intro," which could be used for the Monday Night Football theme song. Catch 22's frequent double-vocals move in a rat-a-tat-tat style yet are always enjoyable and fun to listen to. But it's the horns that make this music so engaging - you'll have trouble smiling while whistling along with the album's many trumpet and trombone melodies. "Point the Blame" is a solid, happy tune that is sure to win the band new fans. If you're looking for some meat, check out the angry and loud "Sounds Good But I Don't Know," with its heavy guitar riffing and absolutely amazing horn fills. Housewives around the world will enjoy the happy beat and virtuoso horn playing in "It Takes Some Time," while "Bloomfield Ave." proves the band can slow the pace down (for a moment) and create a Camper Van Beethovenesque ballad, complete with a violin solo. The album also includes a clever cover of "Wreck of the Sloop John B," which was originally recorded by the Beach Boys. You'll be hearing about Catch 22 soon, as they are too good for the mainstream music world to ignore.
