Amazon.com

Where Rancid's eponymous 2000 album saw the band attempting to re-seize the moral high ground by aping the hardcore sound of the early 1980s, Indestructible is a return to the eclectic mix of their own breakthrough album And Out Come the Wolves. Thus "Red Hot Moon" and "Memphis" are melancholy, Clash-inspired grooves, "Arrested in Shanghai" and "Back Up Against the Wall" are melodic pop rock, while "Out of Control" and "Born Frustrated" are screaming punk assaults. Their politics, naturally, remain sound, as evinced by "Ivory Coast" and the anti-violence anthem "Spirit of '87". --Dominic Wills ... Read more

Reviews (190)

Rancid is back
I was quite worried about how this album would sound. The previous Album RANCIDRANCID was so hard and angry, I wasn't sure what direction the band was going. This album however brings back that good rancid feeling. It still rocks but has touches of Reggae/Ska and Pop and the mood of the album is that of hope and optimism. I couldn't be happier with it. It's a cross of Out Come the Wolves and Life Won't Wait. Indestructable the song is a great punk athem. Red Hot Moon is head boppin rocksteady/ska and flows only like a ska vibe can. Arrested in Shangai is almost a pop ballad but the political lyrics and Tim's voice make this all punk rock(maybe some Joe Strummer influence?) Born Frustrated is perfected punk rock. A rejected person's song. All the songs have a different feel and they really took the time in the studio to coax new guitar sounds and new sounds for individual songs.
Buy it especially if you didn't like to last album at first. This one brings rancid back to where it came from.

Rancid has made another masterpiece!
After hearing Fall Back Down, I thought that Rancid might have gone a little soft. That was until i purchased the full cd. Every song is good, and most are extremely heavy! It may be just me, but it sounds like Tim's voice has changed a little. That doesn't really matter though, cause he can still dish out punk rock! This cd has alot of varying types of music. It's kind of like they took different songs from all of their cds.

1.Indestructible- 9/10 Very good song. It is pretty heavy,yet has alot of melody. Sounds like something from Let's Go. It's also a tribute to Joey, Dee Dee, and Joe Ramone!

2.Fall Back Down- 8/10 Their first single, and not a bad song. It's kind of slow though, like something from the Transplants. It would be alot better if they made it a tad more heavier.

3.Red Hot Moon- 10/10 One of the best songs on the cd. It kind of sounds a little like reggae, with Ska beats and i think, steel drums! Great song though, with Rob from The Transplants as a special guest!

4.David Courtney- 9/10 This is a very sweet song! It starts out very heavy and continues to sound great! It's about some guy rancid met on their travels.

5.Start Now- 8/10 Not that bad, it sounds like melodic punk. It's about working out all your problems.

6.Outta Control- 9/10 The bass at the begginging of this song is amazing! It is a very heavy song, sounds kind of like something from Rancid 2000.

7.Django- 9/10 PUNK! Very sweet drumming and guitar playing. Quite heavy. It's about a guy who drags his demons around with him!? Go figure!

8.Arrested in Shanghi- 8/10 Very slow song, if not the slowest song on the cd. It starts out sounding like elevator music, yet picks up pace just a little. It's sounds like it's about anarchy or rebelling against something.

9.Travis Bickle-10/10 Awesome song! They pick up the pace and bring a very sweet song. The chorous has smashing, loud drums! Instant classic!

10.Memphis- 9/10 This is a touring song from Rancid. A little slow at the beggining, but the chorous picks up pace. Not a bad song to sit back and jam to. Sounds like Transplant material.

11.Spirit of 87'- 10/10 Probably my favorite song on the album. Heavy song about going to punk and rock shows instead of discos. I agree!!

12.Ghost Band- 9/10 Short song, but very good. The drumming is fast and pretty amazing. Sounds like an ...And Out Came THe Wolves song about brwaking up. Heavy!

13.Tropical London- 9/10 This is a good song that Tim wrote about his breakup with Brody. Reminds me a little of "Time Bomb." Great song!

14.Roadblock- 9/10 Another short song that is extremely heavy. Sounds like a Rancid 2000 song, yet it's strangely dedicated to Motorhead!?!?!?! Still a heavy, great song to mosh to.

15.Born Frustrated- 9/10 Heavy song that sounds like ...And out Came the Wolves stuff. Great!

16.Back up Against The Wall- 8/10 Alright melodic song that could've been heavier. About unemployed friends?

17.Ivory Coast- 9/10 Starts out very heavy and continues to be. Great bass, if you listen closely.

18.Stand Your Ground- 7/10 The only song I'm not really fond of. Too slow and sounds like rap a little. Skip this one. Good guitar, though.

19.Otherside- 10/10 Another AWESOME song! Very fast paced song about the death of Lars' older brother.

Disappointing, but not without it's moments
So I guess the question is/was, can Rancid deliver the goods once again? Yes and no. Out of the 19 tracks on this CD, I really only liked a few. Rancid's always thrown at least 15 songs on every album of theirs, so generally speaking there's going to be a few you or I don't like as much as some of the others. With that in mind, the songs I did like are Out of Control, Fall Back Down, Roadblock, Travis Bickle, Spirit of '87. Out of 19 songs, though, 4 doesn't seem like much an endorsement.

Well, I figure if the album isn't that great, maybe it's because they've been around for over 10 years, and have already put out at least one amazing album (Rancid 1993/...Wolves/Rancid 2000, take your pick). Tim, Lars, Brett, and Matt have already written some of the fastest, insightful, informative ("Blackhawk Down," "Harry Bridges"), and downright ROCKING songs out there, and this is coming from not just a punk fan, but a Beatles/Stooges/Joy Division/Dead Kennedys/Motorhead/ACDC enthusiast aswell.

Different people think different things, and as a fan of Rancid, I didn't like this one too much. I think that after 10 years they're starting to lose their way. On the upside, the majority of their catalog is good. Rancid is/was a great band, check them out if you haven't already.

GENIUS
I have been a Rancid fan for nearly seven years now. Their style has flipped around a bit, but honestly guys, this stuff is musically sound. I'm a guy who listens to new age alternative, some heavy metal, and a bit of punk. This stuff is incredible. From a musical perspective, you just have to acknowledge their skill. Tim and Lars arm themselves to the teeth with slashing guitar riffs that'll cause structural damage to your room. Also, Matt thumps along on the bass like he's a bad@$$, and Brett Reed is back there pounding on his set. This stuff simply kicks. If you want some aggression mixed with ACTUAL talent, go by this item. Sometimes I wish they had made this one a bit more political with their anti-governmental messages, but they refrained... ( I wonder why? COUGH!COUGH! Piece of shrubbery in my throat, sorry) After so many years of them fighting a way into Punk, Rancid really should make a bigger name for themselves with this album. This album has got to be the best I own. They have made so many great pieces, I wonder why they haven't worn out... That's because... They're Indestructable.

(...)

Noooooooooooooo!
Well, at least the album cover is punk.....

Actually, I shouldn't be too hard on the album, it does have its charms. Just not enough drunken charm.

Like everyone else I was waiting so hard for this album that I crapped my pants about ten times. Then I heard the first single 'Fall Back Down' and wanted to hurl my feaces at the TV. Good Charlotte on the film clip? That stupid Ozbourne girl? Playing pop punk songs? I was deflated. I almost wished that they would break up before they could release the album.

But they didn't, and I am glad of it in hindsight. They have besmirched their good names with songs like 'Fall Back Down', 'Arrested in Shanghai' and 'Start Now'. (Don't get me started on how poppy Start Now is.)
After a cursory listening I was ready to give up on Rancid and the album and was getting ready to start pretending that I never liked them so that I could laugh at kids who liked songs like 'Fall Back Down'.

But after a couple of weeks I came back to the album and listened to it with fresh ears. I lstened to it without the burden of expectation and as a standalone album, and, when you take it like that, it's really not so awful.

Tracks like 'David Courtney' and 'Out Of Control' see Lars at his agressive and intense best. While tracks like 'Travis Bickle' and 'Django' do the same for Tim. 'Spirit of '87' is possibly one of the best punk songs ever written in my opinion; it's catchy and sing-along-ish but still with good pace and with a raw edge. 'Roadblock', 'Born Frustrated', 'Ivory Coast' and 'Otherside' are all good songs too. The rest (apart from the utterly horrible 'Fall Back Down, 'Start Now' and 'Arrested in Shanghai') are decent songs but far from exceptional.

As a standalone album this is still far better than most of the 'punk' floating around in the music sucCESS pool, but as a Rancid album this is easily the worst. if I were to give this a score as a standalone album I might edge up towards three and a half stars....but seeing as it does come after some great albums and dissapoint quite a bit I can only squeeze out 3, and only now after the bitterness has subsided.

Personally I would like to see them heading back in the direction of their latest Self Titled which is a masterpiece.
If you love Rancid, there is still alot to like here, but my prediction is, if you're anything like me, that you will spend all your time listening to their older and better albums and only fish this one out to listen to some select songs, with your finger always twitching over the 'NEXT TRACK' button.

Incidentally, pick up the single for 'Fall Back Down' (Yes I know the song itself is awful). The two tracks that come with are great. Stranded is an awesome song by Tim that is better than half of the album and Killing Zone is an awesome song by Lars that is also better than half the album. Perhaps Good Charlotte made the final selection of which tracks would make the album...who knows. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

My favorite...now
If you are looking at this review, I imagine that you have already heard the English Beat--If you haven't, then don't waste your time reading any further and go and get "I Just Can't Stop It". If you have a Beat CD, odds are that this isn't the one. Of the three major releases, this was my least favorite as a teenager...too slow.

But now when I revisit this one...twenty years later (Has it been that long?)...I find it superior to the 1st release (just barely) or Special Beat (by a mile). So if you missed Wha'ppen the first time around, give it a second shot, there is a chance that you will find that this album aged more gracefully than its siblings.

i'm just a johnny come lately
I heard the first Beat LP ("I Just Can't Stop It") in a small town record shop in 1980 and instantly fell in love with this band's brand of ska/soul/rock. For some strange reason, I never bought "Wha'ppen" and never got familiar with it. I confess to reading some less than enthusiastic reviews and shying away. Of course, I did buy "Special Beat Service" and found it to be par excellent. So I ordered "Wha'ppen" a couple of months ago and it arrived a few weeks back and I've been wearing it out. Damn! How did I miss this? This is a great collection of snaky sweet, politically smart songs. "Doors of Your Heart"... I've loved that song for years... and "Too Nice to Talk To" has always been a favorite. But every other single song on this CD, including the bonus tracks, is outstanding. These songs are textural wonders. Great stinging guitar work and the incredible Saxa on his horn make this a stunning recording. I regret not discovering it sooner, but it sure is a nice find after-the-fact. Oh yeah... one more thing... I had the pleasure of meeting Dave Wakeling in Nashville this past summer and he's a very nice fellow who cares about the people that support him. If he comes to a venue near you, don't miss the show. You'll get your money's worth and more. Wear your dancin' shoes. He is truly one of the great talents of the 80's and continues to make significant music. He may be the most underrated recording artist of the past two decades. Buy this CD. You won't regret it. It sounds best in the early evening. I'm the Big Oh and I gotta go.

Great Follow-up to "I Just Can't Stop It"
For whatever reason I bought this album much later on than the other two English Beat albums - something about it "not being as good". That's complete nonsense. This album is excellent and it was a welcome revelation to hear it years later, after the fact as it were. There's not a weak track on this CD. Plenty of soulful saxophone solos abound. "Dreamhome in NZ", "Walk Away", and "Monkey Murders" are lost 80's classics to go along with the better-known "Doors of Your Heart" and "Too Nice to Talk To". Love the alternate version of "Get-A-Job" found here. I rank this second Beat album in the all-too-short trilogy of albums from these guys right up there next to "I Just Can't Stop It"; it's certainly a stronger album from start to finish than "Special Beat Service" - their final album - where the strain of not having widespread commercial acceptance sounded like it had taken its toll. Looking back, I wish the English Beat had stayed together long enough to record a few more gems like "Wha'ppen?". They probably do too.

Great CD
The English Beat is one of my all time favorite bands, and I'm happy to see that their music is being re-released. This is a terrific album.

Ya Mon
I love English Beat - it is just perfect beach music. This particular album I have worn out - my tape is 15 years old and I thought I would never get another chance to own one. If you are into funky reggae style music, this album is for you. My favorite tracks to jump to are "French Toast" and "Get a Job". "Drowning" and "Doors of Your Heart" are very smooth and you want to sway to them, or close your eyes and soak up the rays, mon! Of course there is "Monkey Murders" which is the only song I remember listening to on the radio. Great stuff! ... Read more

Album Description

The highly anticipated third volume in Hellcat's 'Give 'Emthe Boot' sampler series. This time around you get punk,hardcore, reggae, and psychobilly sounds from DropkickMurphys, U.S. Bombs, Rancid, Lars Frederiksen & TheBastards, F-Minus, Agnostic Front, Duane Peters & TheHunns, Leftover Crack, Tiger Army, Slackers, Joe Strummer,King Django, Pietasters, Mouthwash, Gadjits, and Hepcat,plus unreleased material from Distillers, Roger Miret & The Disasters, And Devils Brigade (featuring Matt Freeman ofRancid). Includes two bonus video clips from DropkickMurphys and Tiger Army. Digipak. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

best compilation i own
This cd is the best compilation i own. It has a devils brigade song called vampire girl. devils brigade is a psychobilly band which is everyone in rancid except for lars. it also has good tracks from tiger army, lars and the bastards, nekromantix, rancid, distillers,agnostic front, dropkick murphys and some other this compilation is awesome but at the end theres some ska i dont enjoy too much. this cd also contains 2 videos you can watch on your computer. one is dropkick murphys - spicy mchaggis jig and the other is tiger army - cupids victim. this is a very good compilation its well worth 5-6 bucks.i hope they come out with give em the boot 4.

good mix
give em the boot 2 had a lot of reggae & ska on it & this one is more punk rock, which is good. the bands on it were really good and i pretty much liked every song (the joe strummer one was kind of weird...not like the clash at all). i would recommend it especially since it's so cheap.

Another in a great series
Hellcat Records has turned out another great compilation. I must say that it sounds a little harder, the music a little less melodic and more hardcore. That's just fine by me. The music videos are a nice touch. "The Spicy McHaggis Jig" video is one of the funniest videos I've seen in a long time.

Good work, Tim!

Not as good as Give em the boot 2....
I was excited when I saw that their was a new Give em the boot compilation out, as Give em the boot 2, is one of my favorite cd's ever. Although when I played this cd I was sad to hear that the reggae and ska sounds that where on Give em the boot 2 have been substituted for a straight ahead punk compilation. Not to mention that the quality of songs on this album, are nowhere as good as the tracks selected for the two previous Give em the boot cd's. If you are going to get a Give em the Boot cd, buy the second installment, it is much better...

In a word: Disappointing.
Give 'Em The Boots I and II are punk-rock neccessities. Sprinkled with ska, reggae and rocksteady, they were truly palatable for those of us with eclectic tastes. Sadly, Give 'Em The Boot III purifies itself of most of the reggae and ska from it's two previous outings, leaving us with a punk rock wasteland. The songs here just simply aren't up to Hellcat's high standars. There are a few good moments (The Slackers' BRILLIANT "Information Error", the Tiger Army video) but that is outweighed by a parade of messy and talentless punk rock. Even the Rancid track is anemic.

Although, for [the money], "Give 'Em The Boot III" isn't much of a gamble. Still, it's been three years since Vol. II, and III frankly falls flat on it's body-pierced face. ... Read more

Amazon.com

While he's generally classed as a ska artist, Dekker's biggest hits, which he recorded with producer Leslie Kong, were prime examples of rock steady and early reggae. But what hits! "Israelites," "007 (Shanty Town)," "It Mek" wrapped the cool riddims around some glorious pop music to become international hits, all led by Dekker's high distinctive voice. To be fair, when you get past the prime period, not everything here is USDA, but most of the tracks here are juicy enough to get you salivating. And when he was great, Dekker was up there with the giants; 30 years later, the best still sounds wonderful. --Chris Nickson ... Read more

Reviews (12)

A Must Have
I happened upon this when I hear a Desmond Dekker song off of some compilation. It is great and I've spent many hours listening and singing along to it. Many of my friends who had never heard of Dekker enjoy it as much as I do. This is the roots of reggae, and you don't necessarily have to be a big reggae fan to enjoy it.

This is one of my favorites!
I discovered this CD after watching "Drugstore Cowboy" and hearing "Israelites" again for the first time since childhood. Desmond Dekker truly is the godfather of reggae. The literature enclosed in this disk is very enlightening and casts new light on classics by the likes of Marley, Cliff, and Tosh. I would highly recommend this for any reggae aficionado in search of a history lesson. I have enjoyed listening to this disk for many an hour.

Missing a few of the best
This is a great Dekker collection, with some of his best like "007", "Fu Manchu", and, of course, "Israelites". Well worth buying. A minor quibble is that it does include some songs which are far from his best - "Reggae Recipe" and "Rude Boy Train" should have been axed in favor of classics like "Sabotage", "Beautiful & Dangerous", and "Pretty Africa".

Still a great buy, though.

This is the best reggae CD I've ever heard.
I had to control myself at work because the minute I put this CD into my personal CD player, the beat was booming and Desmond's voice is melodical and beautiful. It is an excellent collection of songs to listen and dance to. This was worth the investment in my collection of old school reggae.

Paving the way for Toots.
I don't know when the word reggae came into common use, or who really was the first reggae artist, but it has been well argued that Dekker was up near the front.

Not as dark as Marley, nor as rocking as Toots, Dekker's contribution to island music may have been the development of a really funky driving groove.

I am not always a fan of Rhino's over cleaning of old analogue masters, but in this case, it was very necessary.

According to the Rhino-typical detailed liner notes, much of the work on this CD comes from a tiny 4-track "studio" in the back of an ice cream shop.

Here's a note for music fans: Desmond Dekker is THE Desomond in the Beatle's song "Ob La Di Ob La Da." Apparently Paul was a huge fan of Desmonds.

Anyway...this CD is a load of fun. Is it reggae? Not really. Did Dekker influence Toots and later reggae artists? Almost certainly.

This is one of my most played CDs. Great for a long drive.

Oh! Here's a fun note: If you enjoy this restrained cut of "The Isrealites," you will really like the hot dance version Dekker cut for Stiff Records, available on the Rhino (again!) Stiff Box. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Awesome
Toots is like a Jamaican Marvin Gaye and James Brown rolled into one. His voice is so real and every note is sung like his life depends on it. How you can listen to this album and not want to shake your a** is beyond me. It is virtually impossible to be sad and listen to this album at the same time. Always an uplifting experience even when he's singing about being broke or being in jail.

Two reggae classics restored to their original glory
Having debuted as a ska outfit in the early 60s, the Maytals eventually found success in mid-decade via a Jamaican song festival competition (at which their song "Bam Bam" took first place), and a string of successful singles recorded with legendary producer Leslie Kong. Following Kong's untimely death in 1971, the Maytals found themselves renamed Toots & The Maytals and recording with Kong's former arranger and sound engineer, Warwick Lyn. The resulting pair of albums, 1972's "Funky Kingston" and 1973's "In the Dark," are perhaps the best -- and certainly the most accessible -- albums recorded by one of reggae's artistic pillars.

"Funky Kingston" includes signature songs like "Pomp and Pride," "Redemption Song" and the title track, along with the band's hear-it-to-believe cover of Richard Berry's "Louie Louie" and a spellbinding take of Ike & Tina Turner's "I Can't Believe." Frederick "Toots" Hibbert sings with a soulfulness unmatched in reggae, equal parts Otis Redding and Ray Charles, and with bandmates who can provide both call-and-response gospel and sweet harmony singing. Instrumentally, the band pulses with deep, hypnotically grooved tracks, crackling with the kinetic energy of their early years.

"In the Dark" strips the band's sound of the overdubbed horn section, and digs deeply into their reggae roots. Hits include the title track, along with "Time Tough," and the prison-time inspired (and James Brown styled) "54-46 Was My Number." The Maytals second hear-it-to-believe-it cover, this time reworking John Denver's "Take Me Home Country Roads," is a marvel of reggae soul. It's nearly impossible to remember Denver's treacly original after spinning the Maytals' rendition.

This two-fer brings together both albums' original U.K. track listings and running orders for the first time on a U.S. release. In contrast, the 1976 U.S. issue of "Funky Kingston" distilled the ten tracks of "Funky Kingston" and twelve tracks of "In the Dark" (plus "Pressure Drop" from the soundtrack of "The Harder They Come") to a scant ten track total. With the inclusion of "Pressure Drop" as a bonus on this collection, listeners weaned on the U.S. original can restore its original track order by programming 12, 10, 7, 17, 3, 2, 9, 15, 21, 20. Not that you're likely to want to after listening to these albums in their original glory.

Bob Marley may have become the prophet's face of reggae, but these two classic albums demonstrate plain and simple: Toots & The Maytals were as large a part of the music's soul as anyone. Period. ... Read more

Reviews (52)

420 geekin' it
ok well i would give this cd like a million more stars but i can't SO.. yes this cd rocks. I couldn't wait till i got it and haven't stopped listening to it since. most of the songs are from their older cd's but they still sound good. breaking rules is the best song! Stubhy's got a great voice and him and adam kick it hard on songs like "3 to 10" and "Child's play". I highly recomend you get this cd. They're a great band...They put on a killer live show. oh and before i leave. Someone said that lbc was from naperville; some of the guys are from Naperville and some are from Downers Grove.. just so ya know. oh and... "Fred Astaire" is NOT a love song

The best CD ever
breaking rules-10/10 almost like blink 182 100% punk
40/80-9/10 Very funny this shows lucky boys can be funny
Fred astair-10/10 definatly po punk rock but is really good and great lirycs
bossman-9/10 kool sound good lirycs
do you miss me-8/10 pretty good as usual good pop punk
child play-10/10 kind of like sum 41 fat lip but way more punk
dumb pop song-7/10 Sort of dumb but good punk and great guitar playing
not about debra- kool sound great lyrics one of my favorites
saturday night-the best guitar in the cd and is real kool
never like this-5/10 not very good pretty fun but kool in some parts but shouldnt of put in on there cd
3 to 10/cd caddy part3-8/10 pretty kool 100% punk
city lights-8/10 a little to much pop but still is real good
one to the right-10/10 best song on the cd it will have you jumpin. hell ya!
slip-9/10 good way to end off the cd and pretty good lyrics

All in All the best cd ever buy it and make these guys huge!!!

Great CD
This is some real punk mixed with reggae sounds. Out of the South Side of Chicago, these guys are awesome. If you like bands like Goldfinger or other ska bands, then you'll like these guys.

Lucky Boy that I Listened
oh man, i've had this cd for about 2 years since i accidentally saw LBC in concert. i hadn't listened to the CD for about a year til i put it in my car this morning. i can't believe i went that long without hearing these guys jam. the sound is powerful and forces you to dance, the lyrics are deep and ask you to sing along. Everything about this cd makes me think about my life and how we're all the same and different at once. it's impossible to try and tell you, but they've got something like a year 2000s bob dylan poet with a sound that sings just as strong! buy now!

i never got to be your fred astaire
i got this cd like 4 years ago and i LOVE it. i listen to it all the time and its just awesome. even though it is one of their older cds, i would recomend that everyone buy it because it has so many different feels to it. you listen to one song to pump you up and another to ease your pain. there is something for everyone on this cd. and a major plus is that stubhy has an awesome voice. so what are you all waiting for? go out and get it..
ps. also buy commitment (the newest one) and growing out of it. they both rock my socks too!!! ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Five Iron Frenzy ROCKS TO THE INFINITY POWER!
When I first got this cd, i expected FIF's fast paced happy ska with punk music with a lot of humor thrown in. Well, I didnt get what i expected. When i first played it, i was like whoa, with the exception of Reese's high shrills, i could barely tell it was them. After listening to it once, I fell in love with it! I think in this cd the matured a lot, with songs like Hurricane, which is sorta slow paced reggae/ska"I am so lonely, they say you are lonely too, Dear God be my savior, I wait for you", Solidarity, which sounds sorta like latin music with ska with cool rasta vocals by Brad, and Giants which is a very creepy tune critizing Adam Smith and Darwinism (who wouldnt?). And of course, FIF have their silly songs, which would be Phantom Mullet (in case you all dont know what a mullet is, its a hair style-think Billy Ray Cyrus), also, You Dont Want to Move Here makes fun of California and features Val from the W's. World Without End is parallel to FIF's second albums's Every New Day. Very spiritual and inspirtaional. AHHH! I cant explain how much I love this CD! EVERYONE GET IT! FIVE IRON FRENZY IS THE BEST BAND IN THE WHOLE WORLD! CONGRATS BRAD DUNHAM AND MIJON REMMING ON THEIR MARRIAGE! get this cd!

Best 5IF Ever!
I dont believe this! Five Iron Frenzy has made many outrageously funny albums and made many wonderful songs that have a powerful message, but this tops them all. After the slightly humerous "What's Up?" Reese Roper breaks into his "Greatest Story Ever Told" Other notables on this disc are the "Phantom Mullet" a humerous song about bad haircuts. Both "Farenheit" and "Four Fifty One" (Notice the little joke in the two titles) are wonderful songs with a message, Farenheit denouncing homophobia, and 451 calling for more on fire evangelists. You Probably Shouldn't Move Here is a hillarious song dipicting Coloradans as a bunch of rednecks (tongue in cheeck of course). The best song on the CD is a tossup between "Giants" an anti-conglomerate song, and the beautiful "World Without End" (The acapella choral ending and the chiming bells are enough to bring goosebumps to the flesh, tingles to the spine, and tears to the eyes) Both of these songs are so much better than Our Newest Album Ever's "Every New Day" Which I view as their previous best song. Get this album as soon as possible. The kings of Ska-core have done it again

Might have been good as a first attempt
Let me start out with a disclaimer: a lot of people love this album, and, musically it's sound. (no pun intended) FIFs constantly changing style missed me with this album, although "ugly day" was acceptable, it sounded much better on the live album...
If you're a FIF fan you'll like it. If you're not, try Electric Boogaloo or "Our newest album ever" first. (Electric Boogaloo was the best IMO, but i think i'm in the minority on that choice )

Worst FIF album ever
This album came during a very difficult time for Five Iron Frenzy. One of their chief song writers left the group before songs for this album were written, and the various members of the band (all 8 of them) kind of traded off on song writing duties for this album. As a result, it lacks the unity in sound that a lot of their other albums had (Electric Boogaloo has the same failing, but not to the same extent).

This is, in my opinion, the least catchy and least appealing of all FIF albums. I was a hardcore fan before this came out, I bought it on the first day and I remember sitting in the car listening to it on the way home and my girlfriend saying to me "It kind of [bad isn't] it" I hated to agree, but I had to.

For the FIF beginner go for one of their first two albums or the Quantity is Job 1 EP for their finer work. Eventually the FIF faithful talked themselves into liking this one, but without the previous FIF experience, this album will really fall flat for the uninitiated.

The only really stand out track on the album is A New Hope (and possibly Solidarity). Go buy those two songs on ITunes, and you aren't missing much of anything from the rest of the album.

Fun CD
I bought this CD after I heard about FIF from a friend and I am really glad that I did. At first I thought that many of the songs sounded similar, but after a few listens I can now appreciate them all individually. The songs on this CD are fun and are uplifting. I especially enjoy Phantom Mullet, Ugly Day and Greatest Story Ever Told. Five Iron Frenzy is a unique group that should appeal to most people. I recommend this CD to anyone looking for a different type of music that you don't normally hear. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

This is the best LTJ CD!
This is the coolest cd i've ever heard. It has lots of great ska songs ( Time and a Half, Who Holds The Power Ring) and also lots of great punk songs (Lucky Day, F**ked) There is also 3 great cover of the Laverne and Shirley Theme, The Dukes of Hazard Theme, and 867-5309 (Jenny) The harmonics of Chris and Roger are breathtaking!This is a great CD. The best LTJ CD they've made. They say that their new one (Hello Rockview) is much like this one, I hope so. If you have to choose between This, Losing Streak, Pezcore, or Greased...this is the best by far! Less Than Jake are the masters of Ska/Punk!

Good, but not there best
Less than Jake is easily the best ska influenced punk band outthere. What makes them so good is that they can preform high-energy,positive songs with out selling out. This cd, honestly is not one of there best. I own 10 of there cd's so I do know what I'm talking about. I'm not just a casual LTJ fan. While this cd is fun to listen to, it doesn't have the shelf life of "Hello Rockview" or "Losing Streak" This cd is still awesome, just not one of my favorites. Though it is cool because they cover songs such as the theme songs to "Lavern & Shirley" and "The Dukes of Hazard" aswell as a popular 80's song 867-5309. My personal favorite is "St. James Hotel." "Econologed" is a great song too.

The Best Less Than Jake cd!
I am a huge fan of Less Than Jake, and I have all of their cds. At first I didn't like this one as much as Losing Streak, but then it grew on me, and now I think this is their best cd. Most of the the songs are more ska and funky (as said) than punk. It has a couple covers, and I especially like the cover of Jenny/867-5309.

older and better
well i've had this for years (the origional on No Idea records thank you very much) and it still notches up regular spinnage. this is basically a compilation of early 7", 10" and comp tracks if you've heard their later stuff you'll know the basic sound, hi energy tuneful ska punk but here it's free of the glossy sanitized production that all the punk bands get these days. twenty songs and everyone a winner from the originals like "where the hell is mike sinkovich?" and "whipping boy" to the covers "laverne and shirley" and "dukes of hazzard" you'll be singing along and jumping all over the place. in a way i feel sad that they've got so big as their new stuff lacks the same energy and fire and after witnessing them live in front of a couple of thousand folk recently it looks like they're doing it punk by numbers. shame.

My turn to talk about this CD
First off, I would like to discuss this theory I have about bands and their fans. A person hears an album and loves it, and becomes a fan of that band based on the album. When this occurs, often subsequent albums are measured by this first album, and don't measure up in that person's opinion. The first experience of the band's music crystalizes in that person's ears, and while the other albums may be like it, they just aren't the same.

The majority of Less Than Jake fans first heard the band in "Losing Streak", their first major label album. While there are definitely going to be exceptions, I would say that the majority of those here that say that "Losing Streak" is LTJ's best album heard "Losing Streak" before LTJ's other albums.

I too have developed this prejudice; for instance, the first NOFX album I heard was "Punk and Drublic", which is still my favorite despite such other great albums as "Ribbed". Same thing goes for the Bouncing Souls' "The Good, the Bad, and the Argyle", Fishbone's "Truth and Soul", and countless other examples.

There are exceptions, though. While "Losers, Kings..." was my first taste of LTJ, I think that "Hello Rockview" is their best. I think that while "Losing Streak" is a great album, it is also LTJ's worst album of original material.

Now to the review of this album: LTJ at this time, and during "Pezcore" (ca. 1994), were the definition of a ska punk band. Some people may think that this is a tired formula, but at the time, there weren't that many ska punk bands around (Slapstick, Buck O Nine, the Voodoo Glowskulls, Mustard Plug, Jack Kevorkian and the Suicide Machines, and the Pacers are the few others that come to mind). Before that, there were only the Specials and Operation Ivy, and a few ska core contemporaries like the Bosstones and MU-330.

This album is the epitome of ska punk. Fast-paced, raw guitar sounds, and a nice mix of punk and ska riffs, as well as a few straight up punk songs. The vocal harmonies, catchy melodies, and singalong lyrics present in their later albums were there even back then.

If you want to hear what a great ska-core-rock-punk-metal band sounded like when they were a great ska punk band, definitely get this CD. ... Read more

Amazon.com

After the underground success of Life in the Key of Bree, Buck-O-Nine made the leap to the majors and issued this record, co-produced by David Kershenbaum, who'd worked with Joe Jackson--hence, perhaps, the cover of Jackson's "I'm the Man," which perfectly suited the band's ska-punk style. But it was only one of a number of great songs here (the rest originals), with the title track and "Jennifer's Cold," in particular, standing out from the pack. Fast and hard, or slower and groovy, this record showed that Buck-O-Nine were fast masturing into real contenders. --Chris Nickson ... Read more

Reviews (30)

...They've Done Better...
BO9 is obviously truly a great band, but considering all of the other great stuff they have made, I see no reason for you to buy this album until you've tried the other ones. Yes, the music is great, catchy, and something good to buy, but B09 has done better. I suggest you check out Songs In The Key Of Bree and Barfly if you are a true ska fanatic, or Libido if you are more into pop rock. This album is the beginning of Buck O Nine's transition to pop rock, Libido being the latest effort. Since their new label, TVT, is letting them "do their own thing", they are changing to be a little more generic. I suggest that if you are a true ska freak, forget Buck and go for LTJ, Aquabats, Mustard Plug, RBF etc etc. If you are into pop rock, remember this band's name the next time you buy a CD.

P.S. I have no idea where "their vocalist sounds like a frog" came from, but that is a totally inaccurate statement. If you have listened to an actual live frog before, it bears no resemblence to their singer.

SKA at it's very finest, consider it skanking yoga!
i must say, TWENTY EIGHT TEETH is the first thing which pops in to my head when the word SKA is mentioned. i bought this CD only because i loved Buck-o-Nine's laid back, home town oriented track "my town." i was greatly surprised to find that many of the songs which followed were if not as good, better than my town. how could i not mention the punk anthem "Steve was dead", the fast catchy ska tune to "what happened to my radio" which sounds like your quick ska tune, but then explodes in your face to the fast drum beats and rocking guitars of punk rock!!! AWESOME CD! check it out, ignore all the NEGATIVE REVIEWS!!

OK............. at best
Well, just recently i bought a few cds from amazon and 28 teeth was one of them. At first i was really hyped up about this cd because of the good things i heard about it but once i popped it into the cd player i was dissapointed. I couldn't even listen to the whole cd the first time i tried because it lost me after the first 5 songs. I expected better ska than this, the horn section is not that impressive and the vocals are just terrible. I must admit that on a select few songs the horn section is OK at best but nothing compared to Mustard Plug or the Mad Caddies. What i would do with the $$$ your about to spend on this cd would be to buy a Mad Caddies cd..... now that is a good band! .....

In-frickin-credible!!!!!
I bought this CD cause i wanted to buy some ska. Soon, my mom started liking them! They reminded her of The Specials, an old ska band. Twenty Eight Teeth is an amazing CD and I can't figure out why nobody at my school's heard of them. Buck-O-Nine RULEZ!

Buck o Nine tears [it] up!!
A great album with lovely chord progressions and good song writing. My only problem: The singer's voice annoys me(Don't take it from me though, I love John Flansburg and John Linnell from They might be giants). See how you like it! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Last one with Mr. Bruce Lee
The band got a call from Dr. Strange Records asking if they'd record some stuff for an EP. The album became an LP with the addition of a few songs. Recorded for under $800, each band member picked a few songs to 'cover' and made that song their own. Devlin, Devo, Gorilla Biscuits (for the hXc fans), Klark Kent, Knackstedt, Bad Brains, Bad Manners and Oingo Boingo are covered on here in a ska-style. Bruce left the band after this to do his own thing. It's cool enough that the album cover is pure green. But, this album really rocks.

Not Their Best....
I got this album not that long ago and i think that it is an o.k album.The first track'Gas In My Car' is amazing and so is the cover of Bad Manners 'Special Brew' it is a covers album with a couple of their own songs but it could of been better....

There are better songs towards the end of the cd
The song Specail Brew is the best song ever. Other songs such as My hair just blow you away with thier musical talent. If you want a real ska love song chose specail brew. It is really a classic

The last CD they made...............It's the best!!!!!!!!!!
This CD is awesome its the last one althuogh it's not all Skankin' Pickle it is cool!!!! Thanks Bruce Lee!!!!

it sux
it su ... Read more

Reviews (50)

5 stars, from an alternitive fan
There are many groups out there that started slow (newsboys, d.c. talk, etc.) and then really turned it on, but these guys were great from the start! From the catchy tunes of "Old West" and "Milestone, to the more thought-provoking songs like "Anthem" and "Beautiful America", this cd hits hard, and never slows down. With the inclusion of a little bit of humor (track #6) and an old Amy Grant song (plus some lyrics from other songs, such as "Third World Think Tank") this album is absolutely incredible. And when it all comes down to it, Five Iron didn't forget the most important ingrediant: the inclusion of our God and Father. I usually buy albums by groups like Jars of Clay (my personal fav.) and Switchfoot, but this is definitly the best ska album I own, even though it's a little old. I highly recomend it!

Jordan's Review of FIF
I can give you two reasons to run out and buy this CD: A Flowery Song and Milestone. The latter has one of the most incredible guitar solo intros I've ever, along with brilliant lyrics that were crafted by the genius that is lead singer and cheif song writer, Reese Roper. A Flowery Song is a straight-forward worship with rad guitar and even better lyrics. Old West deals with the issue of radical Christians killing in the name of the Jesus and Anthem is a great anti-Patriotic song. The themes range from racism to Diffirent Strokes to praise to how America has gone down the drain. Five Iron Frenzy is one of the second-most versatile band around (the first being the brilliant Jimmy Eat Wolrd) and they have styles for all music lovers. I highly reccommend this CD along with their live CD.

FiF in general
This cd, like all of FiF's is a great cd, with meaningful, and sometimes comical songs... with a religious attitude and all the talent they need, i'd rush out and not only get this cd, but all of them... they're not often blatantly religious about things, rather, they have hidden meanings in thier songs, and address problems with the real world, and real people...

Songs like "A Flowery Song"(our newest album ever, and live...), "Amalgamate"(upbeats and beatdowns), "World Without End"(all the hype that money can buy) and my favorite, "Every New Day" (live) and the alternate version of it "On Distant Shores" from their last album (the end is near) are beautifully written and performed songs about God...

Songs like "My Evil Plan to Save the World"(quantity is job1), "Suckerpunch"(live), and "Handbook for the Sellout"(live) are more punk/ska type songs, that still have their own significances...

overall, FiF is a great band, with lovely, and sometimes funny songs... you should get this cd... buh, if you only get one... get the "Live: Proof the Youth are Revolting" cd...

A must have.
My wife actually put me onto FIF - and she hates punk and ska! I love ska and punk and told my wife one day that I wished I could find a Christian ska band and she found FIF for me (this was a few years ago). I thought OK, cool, but let's see if they're any good. Yup, they're one of the best. I get a kick out of the sarcasm in "The Old West" and "Beautiful America." The quote from Westside Story - priceless. "A Flowery Song" has to be the most creative arraingment of the Doxology that I've ever heard (I'm almost tempted to give this disc 5 stars for "A Flowery Song" alone). A bit of advice - get this disc now and listen to it over and over - you'll have trouble finding anything much better.

SDG

This is by far the greatest cd i own
the greatest ska punk from the greatest ska punk band around. elements of punk ska hardcore are the basis of this incredibly catchy and meaningful cd. dont [hesitate], buy this cd now ... Read more

Amazon.com

Though the Suicide Machines are far more punk (and pop) than ska, they nonetheless manage to fit in some infectious ska rhythms. They're a Detroit quartet with piercings in all the right places (pretty much all over their faces), big baggy clothes, and a knack for writing fun-filled, power-packed ditties. They're also a hell of a lot of fun. At a Seattle gig (at Eckstein Middle School, of all places), they invited about half the crowd to join them on stage and performed the entire gig surrounded by (mostly) teenage boys skanking up a storm. Truly a spectacle to behold.Their debut record on the Hollywood label has much of that same wackiness. The songs are totally adrenalized, manic spasms of poppy punk, jazzed up with some deliriously danceable ska. The best line of the entire album comes in the fashion-tip-laden "The Vans Song", which advises, "Worship Jeff Spicoli, not Chris Cornell." Get the picture? --Adem Tepedelen ... Read more

Reviews (51)

a new favorite
I was totally blown away by this CD that I expected to be mediocre ska-punk.
Here's why:

ONE: and most importantly, the Suicide Machines have ENERGY. The first track ("New Girl") hits you hard. Every song makes you want to get up and dance. They would be the greatest band to hear in concert.

TWO: It has the ska rhythms and power chords, and fun, catchy lyrics. It has a ska feel even though it has a limited use of horns.

THREE: The singer goes from his normal singing voice to screaming. But not harsh death metal screaming. When you hear it, it is like he is on stage and he's screaming because he's having a good time.

Destruction by Definition is kind of like Operation Ivy's "Energy" ... only this could quite possibly have even more energy than Operation Ivy. Songs like "S.O.S." almost sound inspired by Operation Ivy.

I was totally surprised about the fun, active, ska.

I've heard some of the Suicide Machine's stuff from other CD's and it lacks the energy. That disappoints me because there is no more after this. This is the only Suicide Machines CD you ever need to buy ... but trust me, you will not be disappointed!

Just Plain Amazing
I had to redo this review, after realizin that my previous review did not to it justice. This cd is definitely at the very top of my extensive collection. Its hard to sum up the greatness of this album, but I'll try. In short, I can only listen to this album when I'm in a large space. Why? Because it is physically impossible to not get up and start skanking up a storm, and than begin wildly moshing when the chorus of a song like "New Girl" comes on. These are my thoughts on all of the songs of this ska/punk masterpiece. 1. New Girl- Amazing first song, great skankable verses, than a chorus that makes you jump around like an idiot banging into walls. Masterful guitars, and funny lyrics. Really showcases the youth talent of the machines. 2. SOS- A harder, grittier ska/punk sound. Has the skank guitars, but sounds a lot more punk than ska. Still, really astounding song. 3. Break The Glass- One of my favorites, grows on you a lot. Lyrics and the voice of the lead singer shines through on this one. 4. No Face- Really fun ska song, lyrics are great. Its hard to keep describing these songs and not keep using the words "Great" and "amazing." 5. My favorite song, mainly because I'm partial to ska, and this is a pure ska classic. Almost Reel Big Fish esque sound. The beginning guitars really rock! 6. Okay punk song, better than average for most bands, below for the machines (at least on this cd). 7. Excellent punk rawk- what more can I say? 8. Another damn good song. Great guitars, and especially the drumming, which I haven't mentioned before (which also rocks on every song!) 9. Great song. Funny screaming match towards the end. 10. Okay, good punk song. 11. AMazing lyrics, and good, catchy tunes. 12. My second favorite song, has a lot of ska until the catchy corus. This track even convinced me to go out and by a pair of Vans! 13 - 16. I'm kinda tired, these last songs all rock, but So Long is the best of em. Buy this cd, if ya like stuff like Operation Ivy, RX Bandits, and what not.

Destruction by Definition
This CD is so frikin awsum. when i heard the first song on here i knew right then this album was gunna be my favorite. i love this sound. the blend of punk and ska is so good. you gotta buy this cd. all there other albums arnt that good... thats just my opinion, but this cd is a classic. its a must have for ur collection.

THE BEST
It's a really good cd. You should buy it.

Solid album
This is a solid album from start to finish. If you like ska/punk, this is a perfect blend of the two. It doesn't sound like a ska band trying to be all punk, and it doesn't sound like a punk band trying to insert skank rhythms into their music. It's even a better blend than found with Operation Ivy's efforts, although Operation Ivy is a better band and did it first. I must admit that if Operation Ivy had continued, they might have come out with an album like this one... this band is quite a bit similar (and that is a huge compliment coming from me).

The only problem with the album, for me, is that I really have to be in a certain mood to listen to it. The songs are all really good, but there's no one particular song that just grabs me... it's more of a good overall album to listen to when you want a punk/ska album in the player... in fact there may be no better oustide of OPIV. That happens from time to time, but for me I'm in search of outstanding songs, either musically or lyrically. Something I can listen to and it makes my soul move. There's nothing like that on this album, nor should I really expect there to be... but it's a great album, for what it is. ... Read more

Reviews (64)

No Doubt
As their first, debut album, No Doubt undoubtedly began with 14 wonderful songs to show the world who they are and what they're doing with music. Here's my review for each track:

1. BND - It's forty-five seconds long, and it's only music, but it's still great. The music is a short introductory piece from the last track on the album "Brand New Day."

2. Let's Get Back - A song about getting back together after a breakup, I'm assuming. It's got a great intro and the lyrics are good.

3. Ache - My favorite song on the album, the story of getting your teeth pulled out and the ache that it leaves. Good music, great lyrics.

4. Get on the Ball - I'm listening to it right now, and the music is great, very ska. It's about if you really want to get that girl you need to "get on the ball" and work for it.

5. Move On - This song is the closest No Doubt will ever get to being a metal band, with ska melded into it. It's about moving on even though things are s[bad].

6. Sad For Me - A slow, sad song with mysterious lyrics and appropriately gloomy music accompanying it.

7. Doormat - Filled with numerous metaphors, it's a song about treating a person right, not like a doormat to wipe your feet on.

8. Big City Train - A song about a train in the big city. Pretty self-explanatory...

9. Trapped in a Box - A great song...this is actually my favorite song, not "Ache" (that's my second favorite). This song is about how much the world is addicted to TV.

10. Sometimes - A great song in which Gwen displays her great vocal skills.

11. Sinking - A song about someone drinking too much and beginnin to sink in life.

12. A Little Something Refreshing - A funny, short song about being hungry and wanting food.

13. Paulina - A hilarious song about a boy's obsession with a woman in a magazine.

14. Brand New Day - A song about every day being a brand new day.

This is No Doubt's best cd :)
This self-titled album is silly and fun. It's got a great vibe, and a lot of great songs. I love artists who don't take themselves too seriously, and this is from a time when No Doubt was my ideal band.

If you're expecting another Tragic Kingdom, you'll be disappointed. This is much different. I like it better than Tragic.

I also suggest the Beacon St. collection.

What???????
Is this no doubt you mighgt say the first time you hear this! If you are a new no doubt fan and you like the new stuff like rocksteady and the singles cd which is good music, you might not like this. My favorite is the singles but this is great ska music and so is the beacon street collection. At first I didnt like it but its fun to see how gwens voice changes, I love Lets get back, its the best song, trapped in a box, ache, and brand new day are also good songs. get this if you like no doubt or/and ska. Give it a chance. 5 star

What is this? This is not No Doubt!
I know No Doubt was a ska band before Tragic Kingdom and all, but this is way beyond ska, this is put me to sleep music. It is not the No Doubt I know and love. I love the No Doubt CDs, but this one and "Rock Steady" have to be the poorest ones. Rock Steady was alright at points but "ND" was a bad CD, not what I like. I give it 3 stars because I love No Doubt and I especially loved it when I saw them in concert during the Return of Saturn tour, they were prime then! If you want to be introduced to No Doubt in a good way, I highly recommend (the pricey but still worth it) "Boom Box" box set, it has the Singles 1992-2003 CD (which has all the good songs), a B-Sides/Rarities/Remixes CD, and 2 DVDs each containing their videos and the Live from the Tragic Kingdom concert which many of you may already own on VHS. But hey, if you're a hardcore No Doubt fan, then just buy this one, but be ready to be disappointed!

Oh, Eric Stefani, Why Did You Leave?
I love, love, love this little album! I bought it in 2002 and it was my first ND album. I love the combination of ska and '80s new wave sounds and the fun, funky keybords and horns. Gwen's voice sounds awesome, almost like Cyndi Lauper circa "She's So Unusual." "Get On the Ball," "Let's Get Back," Paulina," and "Sinking" are my favorites.

Yes, the lyrics are a little on the cute side at times, like in "Ache" and "Paulina" but music doesn't have to be all angst and melancholy all the time. Ska music is fun, and all music should be fun at least sometimes. Lighten up and smile once in a while.

This is my favorite ND album. I have them all, even the wretched "Rock Steady" which I plan on trading in for a Specials album whenever I get the chance. "No Doubt" is a fun, funky album that will make you smile and feel good. Eric Stefani's keyboard work and lyrics and Gwen's dreamy voice really make this album special. I wish more bands made music like this these days.

So put down your Nirvana album, quit trying to be all cool and angst-ridden for five minutes and listen to this album. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Slackers: Cry tears of joy, love de reggae, live de spirit
The Slackers are the joint. Period. They make the best ska/reggae/calypso/rocksteady/lounge music on the planet. Never have I seen so much emotion in an island music record since Jimmy Cliff's "Harder They Come". seriously folks, this album will make all of you who are disenchanted with ska, and any other dance music that you might feel is cheesy lova lova it again, because it conveys so much emotion, spirit, respect for the masters of the genre. Sophistication that denies comparison from any other band that dares step to it. Basically, it is sheer genius, and I would recommend it to any man or woman that wants to get down. The "Mountainside" is reminisint of Disney's "Under the Sea", it's a great Calypso number, and make you smile and think back to the great days of Harry Bell Fountain. It's all good. Feel free to contact me at wilcockd@kenyon.edu Love, Daniel.

The Slackers just keep getting better!
To tell you the truth I had no idea that the Slackers even had this album out! But when I found out I got it immediatly cause I have the other two and love 'em. This is definatly a Slackers CD, no ifs ands or butts. (he he) But, keeping in the tradition of music must grow and change to not become stale the Slackers have come up with "a new batch of sticky buns" (Django) to keep the listener in mad delight. This disc hits ya in the heart from the first few seconds and keeps going 'till the skank in you has run completely out. I must say that this disc shows a lot of growth in the band. From the days of "better Late thatn Never" to "Redlight" to "the Question" the Slackers keep doing one thing, growing up. The music is something that gets in your soul, something that comes with time and something that can only be there in a band who loves the music they are playing. Can you tell why dime a dozen ska/punk bands make an album or two that sound exactly the same and call it quits? They don't have the love, they don't have what it takes to be true to the ska, hell they probably don't know who Tommy McCook is (who "The Question" is dedicated to). In closing I give the Slackers much respect for putting out a quality CD and for giving back to the music which has gave us so much.

Great Album
This is the best Slackers album EVER!! I highly recommend getting this.. Almost all the songs on the album are great. Especially # 16 and 17!

The Slacker's best album yet
It's been common knowledge for some time now that Vic Ruggerio is the best song writer on the ska scene today. Possibly, he was the "Third Wave's" greatest voice, the nineties answer to Don Drummond, Jackie Mittoo and Mike Barson. Now that ska music has lost it's time in the spotlight, and is quickly losing a lot of it's fans to other genres of music, it's important to have a group like the Slackers who still have a passion for playing ska music and playing it well. I guess the "Third Wave" is over, if you believe in all that labeling stuff to begin with. The Blue Meanies' new album has been pinned "Post-Wave" by record execs. This spotlights the Slacker's importance. They are still playing ska music the right way. Get this album.

who's that girl?
the album is by far the best ever from the slackers. with a little under 70 minutes, your time is filled with old school classic ska. my question is who is that girl on the cover? ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Fun Album
Before I bought this album, I hardly knew anything about reggae music. I heard the song "Funky Kingston" performed on Saturday Night Live with Toots (and the Maytals), Roots, and Boots(as in Bootsy Collins). I wanted to know more about these guys, Toots and the Maytals.

When I popped this disc in my player, I immediately knew it was different from anything in my collection. I typically listen to artists like U2, R.E.M., and Coldplay. But this album is so funky, so lively, and so much fun. My favorites are the first two tracks, the aforementioned "Funky Kingston" and the reggae cover of John Denver, "Take Me Home, Country Roads." Get this album and open yourself up to another world of music.

Reggae got soul, got so much soul!
so...your lookin for something to pop into your stereo and dance to..definetly put it in this! this cd is one of my favorite Toots and the Maytals. seeing them live in Philadelphia was the best show i have ever been to! best of TATM definetly has that funky beat to get your feet movin! starts off with Funky Kingston, one of my favs, and keeps on goin through 54-46 Was My Number and finally ending with another personal favorite, Freedom Train. through this cd, you will hear my absolute 2 favorite Toots and the Maytals songs, Pressure Drop and Reggae Got Soul. truly amazing. now click "add to shopping cart" already if you want to get your groove on!

The Joy of Reggae Music
When listening to this C.D., you can just sense the great joy and fun they had recording it. It is the kind of C.D. you can't help but feel happy and wanna get up and dance. Especially with great tracks like the remake of John denver's country road. (my personal favorite) I am also partial to Pomp and Pride. Anyone who likes Reggae/ska will probably love this c.d. Toots and the Maytails were a very important part in early Reggae music in the 60's and 70's It is also a great starter disc for people who have interest in reggae music. It is truely a classic that stands alone

happy fun in the sun
Toots and the Maytals have the happiest rythm and beats. I just want to smile and dance when I listen to this. I am not familiar enough with the group to know if these would be the right song selections for the ultimate greatest hits album, but I do know that I like em a lot! All the songs are layed back, happy, and just make me think of tropical beaches and good times. If you have heard "take me home" or some of there other stuff, you probably won't be disappointed if you buy this. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Exellent
Superchic[k] is back with an all new album. Armed with upbeat lyrics and amped up pop Superchic[k]'s latest album, Last One Picked is definitely an album worth purchasing. The band breaks free of traditional pop, infusing their songs with punk and other influences. The result is an energetic sound all their own. The music itself varies from the almost overwhelmingly energetic So Bright to the piano ballad We All Fall. The message, however, is always the same. The band encourages their listeners to get up and take charge over their own life. They defy the very idea of a pop band as they reject popular culture's idea that only certain people are important. They sport lyrics that encourage people to try, even if they fail. Their music is both inspiring and fun. It is next to impossible to keep from dancing as song after song infuses the atmosphere with energy. The only downside to the album is it's length. With only eleven songs, you will inevitably be left wanting more. That, however, does not make it not worth purchasing. To not hear this album is to miss out on an amazing blend of stimulating lyrics and astonishing music.

Pleasantly Surprised
After purchasing thier first album, I found it to be a great CD to drive to, or just chill with your friends and listen to it. Superchick really digs into the heart of problems that teens face during this time. I loved this CD and though the "song for Tricia" in my opinion needed to be a little longer, the band is showing a very promising future in Christian Rock. This CD is only one of the few that I play when I am depressed, or happy. And there are very few CD's that can do both. The stimulating lyrics and some great guitar playing make this CD a must have! You will not be dissapointed.

A fine effort.
I must echo the comments from the reviewer from Singapore, who wrote "Superchick seems to have made their 'you can make it as a teenager' message even less subtle than on 'Karaoke Superstars' if that is possible."

But if you're over, say, 15, don't let that scare you off. Sure, some songs may speak to situations far removed from your life. (The first track is "High School," and "Wonder" opens with the teenaged-girl-screeches over the prospects of a dreamy guy.)

The CD gets high marks for energy, word play, a great message, and high-energy fun mixed with a couple of somber-and-powerful songs. The lyrics sometimes play off the first CD. "One and Loney," for example, features the line "everyone's afraid to Karaoke in the open," a reference to that disks title cut. It also mentions that "sometimes it's hard to be a one-girl revolution," a reference to another tune on KS.

This group--the members of which were not born until the 1980s--borrowed from pop culture before their time in KS with the song "TV Land," which lampooned the show and subsequent film "Charlie' Angles." They do the same here, with "Na na," in which the narrator complains "I feel like the teacher from Charlie Brown / All you hear i that wah wah wah sound." Unfortunately, this line was immediately followed up with "maybe I'm a pokemon pikachu," which made this baby boomer ask "Is this a song for the under-10 set?" Still, the song turns out to be somewhat clever; after lambasting a friend, the narrator says "Oops, I did it again [another borrowing?] I see, the one I'm talking about is me."

KS featured one mellow song -- "Let it be." This one has two "I belong to you," and "we all fall," which are almost stripped of every instrumentation except perhaps a keyboard. These add some depth and variety to the group. "We all fall" ends [Spoiler alert] with about 5 minutes of silence followed by a rather weak remix of the first track.

Though I'm far from a teenager anymore, I still like some of the tunes a lot, including "One and Lonely" (somewhat clever, snappy, rapid-fire lyrics), "So Bright," (ditto, with a great perspective--"at our life's end/will you have regrets then?"), and "Rock stars" (for its message and mix of tempo).

Great Mix
This CD blends the awesome vocals of Trisha and the great Musical talents of the band that is Superchic[k]. Also, Max singing Song 4 Tricia is the most awesome song on this album. The most powerful song, I felt on this album though, is Hero. This song has changed my outlook on people indefinitely, personally. Overall great album! Best Christian rock band on this planet!

Back in High School!
It is not often that a group is able to release two excellent albums in a row, much less in the same year. Yet Superchic[k] did just that in 2002, releasing "Karaoke Superstars" in January and "Last One Picked" in October. The themes and sound for each album are quite different from each other, but the group does a great job with each.

"Last One Picked" takes a look at high school, how it can affect a person's life, and how we can grow out of what they label a high-school mentality. This album will appeal not only to teens who are currently in high-school, but also adults who either can still see school in their rear-view mirrors or still bear the scars from that time in their life.

Although each song has a message to get across, many of the songs are also just super-fun to listen to ("Na Na" "Wonder (If She'll Get It)" and "Rock Stars").

Superchic[k] ends the album with a great song about living with our past and how God loves us ("We All Fall"). This is a very short song (less than 2 minutes) that simply states it's message. When it finishes, however, let the CD continue to play. There is a surprise remix song that will start after a couple of minutes. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

THE BEST SKA/PUNK SAMPLER OUT THERE (vol. 2)
OK, no one's done a track-by-track review yet, so here goes:

1. Intro- Just a couple seconds of snarling cats. Yeah. -/10

2. Gang's All Here- Anthemic, enjoyable drinking song: what else do you expect from DKM? 9/10

3. Riding the Region- Also known as 'The Region' off Push 'n Shove. Great trad-ska song that'll be stuck in your head for days. 10/10

4. If the Kids Are United- There's been a lot of complaining about this Sham 69 cover, but I think it's just as good as the original. Anthemic, but really bad lyrics. 9/10

5. Nocturnal- Not a huge fan of psychobilly. At least the country influence is muted here. Pretty good song. 8/10

6. Can't Stand It- As another reviewer said, the dancehall/dub thing isn't their best. Check out their earlier stuff. 8/10

7. Tell Me What You're Feeling- Dancehall artist Mad Lion teams up with Rancid. The result: not too good. 6/10

8. Goin' Out- Decent shout-along song. Don't like this band much. 7/10

9. Bad Gadjit- I LOVE THIS BAND! Their blend of ska, blues, 1950s rock n roll is amazing. 10/10

10. LA Girl- Pretty good song, but her voice is grating. 8/10

11. X-Ray Style- Not gonna rate this one. Too unique. World music influences shine on this mellow song. RIP Joe Strummer.

12. Misty Days- Reggae legend Banton and Rancid: should've been better. 6/10

13. The Fool- Solid trad-ska from Slackers side project. Hepcat's Greg Lee sings. 9/10

14. Bruk Out- The best dancehall/Rancid collaboration. A lot of people disagree, but I love it. 9/10

15. Have the Time- Anything by the Slackers is outstanding. 10/10

16. Crack Rock Steady- YESSSS! From the streets of New York comes that crack rocksteady beat. Funny song (just don't take it seriously). Best from CV (too bad they broke up). 10/10

17. Forget Yourself- Forget this track. Forget this band. 5/10

18. Crack City Rockers- Choking Victim with a new drummer and new name. Still keepin that crack rockstaedy beat. 9/10

19. Fools Gold- Solid. Great band, but sometimes sound like Clash wannabes. 9.5/10

20. Rent for Sale- By INDK. Skwert and Ezra of CV's new band. Check em out. 8.5/10

21. Flight of the Phoenicians- Take the vocals and horns out of Hepcat's sound and you get Vanity 5. Good instrumental, but sounds a little weak. 9.5/10

22. Life Won't Wait- Excellent ska song. Great way to close the album. Buju Banton guests. "The vision is the new world order..." 10/10

I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to find some good ska and punk. However, I would've liked tracks from Pressure Point (a great oi band on vol. 1) and SOMETHING from King Django. BUY IT NOW!

from a true skalar
well...i have to say...this cd is in many ways...better than the first compilation.....but anything done by both vic ruggiero of the slackers and rancid...is sheer genius....really though.....the only downpoint of this cd are the distillers contribution...all i can say for that one is.....dont quit your day job mrs.armstrong...actually..i can also say.....its a good thing your married to him...cuz youd be nowhere...hahahaaa....buju banton comes in with his throwdown..soundin as ras as ever........dropkick as always..delivers...and choking victim comes in with the crack rocksteady beats....and hepcat does their sh!t like no one else can....the slackers....aahhh the slackers....if you appreciate good old fashioned rocksteady/reggae/ska.....youll lovem...i cant tell you how....not only does the entire band have soul...but the singer...vic ruggiero..also writes for other bands on this compilation......and others on hellcat and other various labels.....his words are sung with truth and dignity.........these and many other bands unnamed make this compilation a splendid buy...i do recomend it to anyone who appreciates punk and ska and the wonderful way they blend.....

The Perfect Mix
This is my favorite out of the Give Em the Boot series. I think it's the perfect mix of punk and ska, and the track selections were excellent. It's one of my favorite compilations to listen to on the road. There isn't a song on it that a generally skip, which says a lot for a compilation cd. There is great variety, but every song is good.

Not Bad-And Not Good Either!
This comp in neither good nor bad.It starts off great but kinda slowed down in the middle and it gets great back at the end of the tracks.Great songs from Dropkick Murphys,Hepcat,Choking Victim and The Slackers.If you own any song from these band,then don't buy it-but if you don't,you can purchase it and listen it once it a while.

one of the best punk rock compilations around
Of the three give em the boot cd's, this one is the best. Almost every song is good, and with the variety of styles, such as punk, reggae, and ska, it makes a good party cd. A step above the first Give em the boot cd, and way better than give em the boot 3....a must have for any punk fan.....a classic compilation album! ... Read more

Reviews (27)

This is Amazing!
If I had to name my top 10 albums of all time this would be somewhere in there. It's probably one of the finest ska albums ever made. From start to finish, there are no bad tracks on this album...only 3 that I would classify as "average" (Big Star, Song #3, Victory Over Peter Bones)...the rest is amazing. It has a great beginning, with the first five songs totally lighting up the album...The Set Up being the best one. Down in Flames and The Kids Don't Like It are the other two standouts on this CD. Down in Flames and The Set Up both give you that kind of happy power rush that Sell Out gives you, with blaring trumpets and excited vocals. I Want Your Girlfriend to Be My Girlfriend Too is another excellent track. This is music for summer days...or rainy days if you're in a bad mood and need to be cheered up. This is definitely Reel Big Fish's best work ever.

Is Reel Big Fish God?
Yes, absolutely yes. This is one of the best produced ska albums around that I have heard. This cd has sat in my cd player since the day i got it. The horns are awesome on every song, the remixed versions of Im Cool and Big Star are ten times better than the originals... Its just a damn good album. Any fan of Save Ferris, Less Than jake, or early Catch 22 should love this cd. BUY IT AND LOVE IT!

(Rock Music)
This a great disc, probably the best intro to Ska and Reel Big Fish there is. A good mix of Ska and Rock that leans more toward the Ska side, (Cheer Up! Is more rock, TTRO more ska)the songs are almost all upbeat and unbelievably catchy. The fist time you hear songs like "She's Famous Now" and "The Set-Up," they will be stuck in your head for weeks. Plenty of people say that this band is "starter" ska, because they can produce fans who will then get into other ska bands. But as a former ska-head, I can say that they are one of very few bands in the genre that I still want to listen to after expanding my horizons... the qualities that make them "starter," such as their catchiness and connections to other genres of music, make them a band for everyone to listen to. This CD was not made by some kids trying to cash in on the late 1990s ska trend. This was made by actual professional musicians. It's good music that a huge base of fans should be able to appreciate.

The "Reel" deal?
This is a good disc, and I can see why they're popular, but it's not what I think of when I think of ska. It's not so much ska-punk, as it is ska-pop. It has alot more in common with "No Doubt" and "Smash Mouth", than it does with the older hardcore ska bands. At best it reminds me of "The Mighty Mighty Bosstones" or "Fishbone". But I do want to say it's good, and catchy, just a bit happier than what I was hoping for. Maybe I'm getting old.

It's plain and simple...Reel Big Fish is the best.
This was my first RBF album. And being the album it is....I was blown away by the clean, tight sound of the brass, amazing vocals, unique style, and great lyrics. This is one of the best ska cds ever. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

A Real Love Survives A Rock Steady Vibe
This has to be one of the best greatest hits-esque box sets out there today! It has 2 DVDs and 2 CDs. The first "The Singles 1992-2003" is a very decent and pretty complete collection of No Doubt's singles. Their latest single, "It's My Life" is included here, also. It is a great cover single, with a very fun 80's-ish feel to it. I like how they included "Trapped In A Box" on here, too. The next disk is a DVD with all of No Doubt's music videos. They are all cool and crazy. Although it is not listed, the music video for "It's My Life" is on here. Just click "Play All" and it is the first video shown. The next disk is a collection of "B-Sides, Rarities, Remixes". The remixes at the end are the best. The other material is pretty mediocre, with the occasional stand-out. The last and final disk is their "Live In The Tragic Kingdom" on DVD. I'm not one to judge concert footage, because I, personally, do not find concert footage very exciting. There is a great little book inside with some cool pictures and lyrics to all of the songs on "The Singles 1992-2003", some cool pictures, and a little story behind each single. It's very cool. This collection overall is very fun, and is sure to brighten your day. I really recommend it, especially to all you other No Doubt fans out there. This is very very very very cool. ENJOY!!!!!

No Doubt Boom Box Questions
I was wondering why this set carries a parental advisory sticker. If anyone has information, please post. The Singles CD is pretty good, but not as good as buying each individual album. The Videos: Simple Kind of Life is by far their greatest video (as well as song), but Ex-Girlfriend and It's My Life were excellent as well. The B-Sides were pretty sweet, and I have yet to see the concert DVD. Again, parental advisory? Let me know.

Answer To Question / Review
In answer to the below question, the PARENTAL ADVISORY Sticker only pertains to the "Live In The Tragic Kingdom" Concert footage, in which Gwen Stefani has the girls in the crowd repeat a phrase with "F***" in it multiple times. The music itself has no foul language in it whatsoever.

This is a very very complete collection of No Doubt's greatest hits, and much much more. It is quite a gift to the fans. The first disk is self explanatory, with ND's singles from the 1992-2003 period. The next disk includes all of their stunning music videos, including the most recent video for "It's My Life." The third disk is a collection of B-Sides and Rarities and 2 Remixes (included are songs that No Doubt has recorded for soundtracks). The 4th and final disk is the DVD version of ND's "Live In The Tragic Kingdom" concert, recorded in Southern California, soon after ND's first breakthrough mainstream success.

Also included in this wonderful box set is a booklet with all of the song lyrics, great pictures, and a mini-bio to each song included on the first disk of this collection. This is a CD that any No Doubt fan should own. Why? Because everything is here! Trust me, you won't regret buying this. For its relatively cheap price, it is a much better buy than the single disk version of ND's "The Singles 1992-2003," even for the casual fan.

Good but not great!
As happy as I am to own this little wonder, I must say I was expecting maybe a tad more. Of course I knew what I was getting way before I got it, having read the tracklists and multiple reviews but even so...meh?

Well I'll just tell you what I'm not crazy about, because most of it is actually pretty good!
Predominantly it's the "Somewhere in Time" album, which as most probably know is the B-Sides, Rarities, Remix album.
While I do love this CD, I was dissapointed not to find some of the older tracks that I've come to love so much, like "Everything's Wrong" and "Up Yours." There's also a whole lot more unreleased tracks dating back pre-self-titled which would have been mad to see here!! Songs like "Where's Your Lovin'?" and "Soundquake," and even "Dear John" which I guess is kind of an eulogy to the late John Spence.
I think songs like these could have been much nicer to see here than the remixes that although aren't bad, I still don't really care for.

As for the rest, well it's pretty good! And what I said about the "Everything in Time" CD is just a bunch of wishful thinking. So yeah, get it if you can guys 'cause they're not making it anymore!!! Oh yeah!! The booklet is pretty cool too 'cause it's fat!!!

it has everything!
It literally has everything! You have to buy this if you want to be called a true fan! ... Read more