Do you like ska? I don't! That's not quite true, but it's definitely beginning to wear on me, so to be fair, I thought I should get my own prejudices out of the way before I continue. There's a lot of ska bands I am a fan of, that are still innovative in their approach to music. What really turns me off is a genre based around the guitar going "chinka-chinka-chinka" periodically and making sure the word "ska" is cleverly placed in the band name, through out the lyrics and / or in the song names, for example, the fifth song on this album, "Skalifornia." If you are nodding your head, and agree with my assessment, quit reading this review already, and skip to the next one, this is not a band who's going to change your mind. If I'm making you angry, and you're planning on writing a letter to the editor in defense of ska, read on.
Despite my prejudices, this album is very danceable, and has a lot of positive qualities. Nifty Tom definitely sounds like they put on a great live show. This eight piece orchest-ska is very tight and melodic, the singing is strong, and there's a lot of sing-a-long choruses, but I would prefer the guitar being a little more up-front and grittier, as it sounds a little too washed out to me. Also on the upside, I feel their song writing and talent rivals that of the Insyderz, Buck, and many of the other current ska acts at the top of their craft. If there is one angle I can really relate to the band from, it's in the lyrics. In this area, the band stands tall, addressing a number of different topics in a pertinent and creative manner, mainly from a philosophical point of view. Ranging from the search for direction in life, the war against the desires of the flesh, and the emptiness in the "American Dream," a Biblical reference which relates to the song is placed beside each of the song titles in the liner notes. Overall, while not bringing anything "new" to the genre, if you're going to be doing any skanking in the pit this summer, I'll put my name on the line that you should check this album out.
