Is ska dead? No, but it smells funny. Buck has changed its name from its acronym for "Building Up Christ's Kingdom" to Buck Enterprises and has had wholesale personnel and genre changes. Consumers would be better off supporting this band by buying a copy of its self-titled project, which is vastly superior to the inconsistent Business As Usual. Buck Enterprises is no longer a ska band, as the band has followed the lead from the OC Supertones (rock with horns). "Next" and "Samaritan" are excellent representatives of the first project, but only "Barriers" is a standout track from this collection, and I hope it gets plenty of airplay at Christian rock stations. It's musically reminiscent of "Samaritan," and lyrically (a call for a breakdown between interdenominational barriers), the Supertones' "One Voice." Excellent! Other performances are predictable at best (the final track, "The Return," is lyrically sharp but could have used a better arrangement) and lackluster at worst. An example is a cover of the Beatles' "Got to Get You into My Life," to which Paul McCartney would probably smile and say "nice." Buck is an incredibly talented band, but Business as Usual sounds like it was doing business as usual instead of having fun as the band did on its debut release.
2 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Andy ArgyrakisBuck is back in action after a bout with annoying record label red tape, release date delays, and membership changes. Luckily, such problems turned into triumphs for the band, which seems to have picked up the pieces and moved on with a lyrically hearty and musically mature project. The opening cut "All I Need" starts out in the band's classic "high-octane rock with horns" vibe. On this release,…Similar sounding releases
2001Five Iron FrenzyFive Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo
2003Elemeno PLove & Disrespect
2003MxPxBefore Everything & After
2003Less Than JakeAnthem
2005The Aquabats!Charge!!
2004My Chemical RomanceThree Cheers For Sweet Revenge
