No comments about Mi Tierra.

1 comments about That's My Number.

1. Toots is my newest favorite. This album captures his heyday as a young music artist still making his name. The groove of his early (original) Rocksteady gets me swaying anywhere anytime. Alidina, Bla Bla, and the classics all make me wish he could have performed at ROTR 2000. Nuf respect! Highly recommend to anyone who dreams to live in the music of Jamaica c1970.

5 comments about The Post Wave.

1. This cd is absolute garbage. I bought it the day it came out, loved Blue Meanies. I listened to this crap once and it was enough. Not much of a surprise this band vanished shortly following its release. Its almost as if they purposely sabotaged their band because you know that having made Full Throttle and KYAG they knew how to deliver quality. Proceed to buy their other albums and consider yourself saved.



2. Strangely enough, most of the reviews on this page talk about this cd as a ska/punk cd. In reality, there's no ska on this cd. Maybe I should listen to it again -- perhaps there's some in "When We Were Queens." But 90% of this cd is NOT ska (note to fellow reviewers: horns do not a ska band make).

   The album was a conscious effort by the band to move away from genres in general -- they never wanted to restrict themselves to a particular type of music, to which their earlier music is a testament. Ska/punk was the most pervasive flavor, and the Meanies toured with ska groups, but they often went on the record as saying they didn't like genre labels.

   But labelling things is what we do anyway. This cd ends up with a "new wave" rock kind of sound. Poppy, yes. "Poppy ska/punk," absolutely not. Poppy ska/punk is The Chinkees. I like this cd a lot, but it gets more negative hype than positive. If you're into trying something new, pick up the Post Wave. But don't believe the hype. If these guys think this cd is trashy ska/punk they probably don't know what ska/punk is.

   Favorite songs: Chemicals, Lose Your Mind




3. As ska became more and more mainstream/limited thanks to bands like No Doubt, the Blue Meanies seemed to be blazing a new trail and showing that ska could encompass countless other genres (much as Madness did in the 80s). With a creative flair and gusto that most bands struggle to even come close to, the Meanies released two fantastic albums ("Kiss Your Ass Goodbye" and "Full Throttle") that encompassed more genres than are even possible to list here.

   However, as unique and exciting as their previous albums were, this one is painfully watered down and merely an attempt to make it "big" in an industry where they never belonged in the first place. With a completely pop-ska feel, the band has limited themselves and turned their back on their eclectic nature. Sadly, the end result sounds like they are sleepwalking. Songs such as "TV Girl," "All the Same," "Big Brother's Watching," and "Camaro Man" are such spineless and flagrant attempts to appeal to the masses that it is upsetting just to listen to them.

   Sure, some of the lyrics appear to have an edgy/controversial feel to them, but they come across as forced and bland hints of the quality messages that the Meanies had on such fantastic songs as, "Pave the World," and "The Great Peacemaker." It must be said that it appears more that the Meanies are just going through the motions rather than actually developing any new and exciting meanings to their songs.

   The integration of horns, synths, and standard rock instruments that the Meanies have on this album is certainly tight, but it is not as inspired as in previous (and more sloppy) albums. In fact, it is this inspired madcap sound that made them such a fantastic group to begin with...and this is sorely lacking in every aspect on "the Post Wave." It is as if the band practiced these songs for countless hours and, by the time they got into the studio, was bored to death of them.

   If I had not ever heard the Blue Meanies before I would discard this album without a second thought, labeling it as just another lame ska-punk album. However, thanks to their previously fantastic output and live shows in Boston, this album is just a phenomenal disappointment from start to finish from a band that should have remained focused on their music as opposed to appealing to the masses.




4. This CD is one of the best ska/punk CDs Ive heard in a long time. It's refreshing to hear this kind of stuff after listening to Less Than Jake and Mustard Plug for so long. Songs like "All The Same" and "Big Brother Is Watching" convey the messages and ideals that define punk, while still managing to maintain a fun, upbeat vibe. This CD is a must-have for anyone who calls themself "Up to date" on the punk/ska music scene.



5. The Blue Meanies are my home town band. I grew up listening to them. They are the reason I began listening to ska and punk in the first place. After quite a few years now, They have finally disappointed me with this CD. I still love them and this CD is still good, just not AS good as some of their other stuff. The originality in their use of horns, their very upbeat tempo, lyrics, and Billy Spunk's vocals perfectly compliment eachother to creat the most incredible music I think I've ever listened to. They are the best "Ska core...Punk core..ska, punk whatever" band around. I hope they continue to create great music even after the changes their going through. While not quite what they're capable of, I still recommend this to anyone who likes good music. Be sure to also pick up their live CD, music of unmatched brilliance.

5 comments about Static World View.

1. I had to get the album again because i wore out my first copy. The whole album rocks. Not one bad song on it. Sucks they broke up. Definitely pick it up if you have a chance. ***** stars, all the way!



2. SHJ was an icon of the northeast ska scene when I was growing up. Let me state that I myself was never really much of a skankin' roughie myself, but my sister and many of my friends were deeply involved in the scene themselves and I have yet to meet a single individual who can credibly speak of the regional ska scene without mentioning SHJ.
   
   This album was regarded as the "pre-sellout" SHJ album, before they added "USA" to their name. Jolene is a decent song, but that release pales in comparison to the diversity of Static World View. Simply put, if you are a ska fan and do not own this album, you are missing out. The songs are not a homogenous mix of boring standard pop structure. The instrumentation is varied and nuanced. The horn lines are catchy as hell. The guitar comes out of the rhythmic background when it needs to. The vocals and harmonies are unquestionably competent.
   
   Addicted, Electric, and Freedom typify this cds diversity pretty damned well. There is no formula other than the collective attempt of a band to create the awesome. The songs swing in an amusing way and rarely comprimise themselves to deliver something you've heard before. I consider this to be my favorite ska cd of all time and among my favorite pop cds. If you consider yourself a fan of the genre, you should be ashamed for not having given this one a chance.
   
   -adam prestin



3. This is perhaps the most incredible ska(core?) album ever produced. The song "Electric" shall forever remain my all time favorite. Concerning one of the previous reviews from 1999 where an ignorant fan said the same thing 16 times in a row, I would sharply disagree and have to say that this CD does NOT in fact need "Jolene." I found Songs From Suburbia to be a startling disappointment, followed by the band splitting up. Static World View is fantastic from start to finish, both musically and lyrically. I still find myself to be in a state of disbelief every time I hear it. It's just amazing, I bought it twice over the span of a few years, nothing else to say.



4. This is by far my favorite album of all time. I bought it in 1996 and I still have it in my cd player almost every day. I am glad to see that the members of the band are having success with other groups, but nothing will ever compare to good times in CT with SHJ. If you can't buy it anywhere, download it. And spread the word.



5. OK, this is the BEST ska CD ive ever heard, and their new one sucks. ive been listening to this band since this CD came out. theyre the best.

No comments about Live at Reggae Sunsplash.

1 comments about High Explosion: DJ Sounds from 1970-1976.

1. At nearly $22 I won't call it a bargain, but this d.j. reggae compilation is easily the finest money can buy. The years covered here are '70 - '76 (not '69 - '79) and there is virtually no filler. Until recently, it would have taken thousands of dollars and multiple record shopping sprees in Kingston or London to find many of these cuts. The names of the d.j.'s featured is a who's who of toasting legends: Big Youth, I-Roy, U-Roy, Alcapone, etc. If you're sitting on the back steps with a case of beer and a boom box on a Friday night this would compliment your situation quite nicely .

5 comments about EP Phone Home.

1. I picked this CD up at a live show of theirs. John broke his finger and switched places with the bassist, but despite that, it was a great show. When I left, I put this CD in and really enjoyed it. Great on the CD, better live.



2. just like all of the other reviews, when i first listened to the cd i was skeptical..after listening to it for a couple of days it quickly became one of my fave's! although they stick to the old sound in "sixteen" and track number 4(i forgot the name! oops! :) the rest of the songs seem a little harder and it sounds great! i definently reccomend this cd! i am a BIG homegrown fan and have been for a while and this cd just makes me love them more! :)



3. like the others who previously reviewed this, after the first listen, I wasn't too impressed by EP Phone Home. But after listening to it 6 times in one day, I can honestly say that this is a great ep. Adam's basswork is improved on this ep. The biggest difference on thnis album though is the improved harmonies. On every track, the harmonies are unbelievable. Watch for the re-worked version of no way out. First time I heard it, I thought it was horrible, but now I realize how damn good it is.



4. Wow, I couldnt have said it any better than the guy below me. I was a little dissapointed at first. It didnt seem to have what the first 3 albums had, but i listed to it again, and by the 3rd or so listen, you start to love it just as much as the other ones. I guess i had just gotten my expectations up way too high. I hated the barbie song at first but now i find myself singing it everywhere i go. My only complaint is that its only 15 minutes long. I need more than 15 minutes of Homegrown! Oh well i cant wait for the next full length album and believe me I will be listening to this in the meantime.



5. It first did not meet the standards I was hoping for. Don't get me wrong I am a BIG Home Grown fan but it wasn't their best but each time i listen to it, it gets better and better. I highly recommend it now to those ska and punk loving people.

No comments about Pie Tribe.

2 comments about There'll Be Lots of Hard Times Along the Way.

1. These guys may not know a lot of english, but their music rocks. The horns and everything are great. Although after a while I became concerned with the lead singer cuz I didn't understand a word he said. Oh man, I'm thankful they have the lyrics included in the album.

   Favorite song: Now that My Love is Gone




2. Great Japanese ska and some reggatta! I personally recommend you get any of their albums. My personal favorite Japanese ska band.

2 comments about SKAndalous: I've Gotcha Covered.

1. I'm outside the US for an extended time so I loaded all my cd's
   into my notebook. This one, Skandalous:I got You Covered is one of my favorites now! I picked it up a few years ago browsing through a cd bin and its been a while since I tuned to it but today when me notebook on random hit "Police Woman" I was like, oh man is that just awesome?! I've played to death my Specials, English Beat, Madness, Selector stuff and if your in the same boat wanting some different Ska check this disk out. For the low price it's selling for it's a great buy!



2. I am not usually a big fan of ska (read: I hate it, save for the classics -- The English Beat, The Specials, etc.), but this compilation has got some great covers! The standards aren't that interesting, but the cover of Paranoid by Black Sabbath rivals The Cardigans' version of Iron Man, and the tv themes are genius! Anyone who is a fan of tv theme songs should pick this one up.