5 comments about True Love.

1. I am a huge fan of Toots and the Maytals, have listened to them for more than 20 years, and have always loved their music. The original 54-46 is one of my all-time, favorite songs (not to mention Monkey Man, Pressure Drop, Bam Bam).
   
   But. . .
   
   But. . .
   
   But. . . The Funky Kingston on this album, with "Toots, Roots, and Boots," is sublime. It blows the original Funky Kingston right out of the water. This song alone is worth the price of the CD. And if you don't know who the Roots or Bootsy Collins are, get thee to a record store!
   
   Add to that Bam Bam, with Shaggy toasting (do they still call it toasting? rapping?), and you are close to the pinnacle of reggae music.
   
   And what sends it right over the top? Never Grow Old, with Terry Hall, the Skatalites and U-Roy (!!!!!!!). You could be forgiven for not knowing that Terry Hall sang with the Specials. But if you don't know who the Skatalites or U-Roy are, there is no help for you. . .
   
   This is the most exciting reggae album I have heard in years. That these songs are mostly new versions of older songs is of no matter. They are interpreted so beautifully that they may as well be new songs. Hooray for Toots for reinterpreting his classics in such a fresh, exciting way!
   
   Yes, I know the album came out four years ago. I am lazy. . .



2. My eldest sister turned me on to "Raggae got Soul" back in the 1970's so I wasn't too surprised when my cousin told me this might be his "album of the year" for 2004. This is a great compilation CD. The guests: Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson... all contribute their skills and audience but never take away from Toots himself. His music still rocks! This is raggae at its best!



3. What a fun album this is! A great intro to Toots and the Maytalls, and lots of contact with old friends who contribute to the collaborations. Willie Nelson has never sounded funkier.



4. Entertaining and enjoyable listening. Nice remakes of classic Reggae songs using some crossover artists.



5. I didn't know Toots at all, but read a magazine review and gave it a chance. Boy have I been missing some great music. I listen on my commute home and arrive feeling happy and "cool" by association. If you love blues, Buffett, or Bonnie, this sound will hit you where you live. Not just for Reggae fans. Stop reading this and buy it.

1 comments about Ska Is Dead.

1. I've always been a fan of ska ever since the explosion in the mid 90's. Ever since then, it has been said that ska is dead and what this comp tries to do is prove that it's not. Well, does it work? Very well, actually. Just look at the tracklisting of the bands. It covers old bands to new bands and lite ska and heavy ska. It's actually a very good mix and keeps the compilation interesting from beginning to finish. Most of the songs on this cd is amazing. I preferably love the first 4 tracks but there are very few, if not any, bad tracks. This cd will definetly get you skankin' and it contains alot of unreleased tracks and rare tracks from many bands. The reason why this compilation is 4 and a half stars and not 5 is because of this. The music on this cd is defintely 5 stars but the thing that I wasn't happy about is that there are about 2 or 3 tracks on it that really aren't ska at all. There is one where they use ska chords very faintly in the verse but the song overall sounds like it belongs on a punk compilation and not a Ska Is Dead compilation. Also there are some noticable sloppy recordings but it's still very listenable and the songs are great anyway. And one more thing is that this cd is missing some other important ska bands such as The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Save Ferris but hopefully they'll include the ones they forgot in the second Ska Is Dead compilation. So this cd is ALMOST perfect. Definetly buy this if your a fan of ska or even just want to get into it because it's a perfect introduction because it has a large variety of ska music. Best ska compilation in years!

5 comments about Rancid.

1. This one and "Let's go!" that's all I have to say. The rest are not so inspired.



2. This Band is the best punk rock band ever!! There's nothing much to say about this amazing disc!!!! Ok there's one thing BUY IT!!



3. to me, this is rancid's best work. i don't understand why people say it's "rough around the edges", and crap like that! this is punk people! anyways, every song is fast, and catchy - which to me makes it a classic. this album kicks off with "adina", (one of the best songs on this CD) which is a fast short song, with awesome guitar riffs. and after you hear that song...you definetely will wanna listen to the next - trust me. and the next song "hyena", is another one of the best songs, and an awesome chorus that's all yelling...every song has it's own thing that makes it good. one of the slower songs, has got to be "outta my mind". tim's singing is what makes this song a classic (to me). tim's guitar work, bret's drumming, and matt's bass playing are at their best on this album. so if you're new to rancid, i would HIGHLY recommend this. if not this, "let's go" is another good one.



4. This record is awesome. This was before Lars joined the bad, but Lint, Brett Reed and Matt Freeman were all in it. Matt sings a lot more in this album than Rancid's later albums (prolly because Lars is a better punk singer), so if you don't like Matt's voice you might not dig a couple songs. Overall: f'ing rad album. Go to Epitaph Record's website to listen to a couple of the tracks before you buy it, if you want.



5. Man, oh man! This record kicks the sh*t outta all those pussy Good Charlotte albums. It starts out with Adina, fast pumping and loud! This whole album rocks, though I still don't see what people have against Indestructable. Oh, well. If you like real punk, get this.

5 comments about Live From the Middle East.

1. ... "if dimension, fidelity, and artistry are more your bag, Live pretty much bites. --Sue VanHecke"
   
   Sorry Sue, I can't agree with that. Saying the Bosstones lack artistry is almost laughable. The Tones showcase some of the most talented musicians I've come across in my time. Masterful bass playing, a tight brass section, excellent guitar work and frankly, Dicky Barrett's vocal's are individual, endearing and soulful.
   
   All up a great CD!



2. Wow...wow is all I can say about this display of live concert music. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones are my favorite band, and I completed my collection of their cd's by laying down $18 for this cd- and I don't regret it oooone bit.
   Between the awesome blend of songs from all their albums and the raw energy being witnessed, this cd can please anyone who's in the room. Cd's such as Devil's Night Out and More Noises and Other Disturbances weren't all that great to me...but this cd has made me come to love both of those "okay" cd's just because hearing some older songs by MMB played live seemed to bring a new light over them!
   It's plain and simple...BUY THIS ALBUM! It's a must-have for annny MMB fan.



3. Like the Grateful Dead, the Bosstones are better live than recorded. This is essentially a live greatest hits album. It has all the songs of theirs that I could name, good sound, and an amazing 22 tracks. It's the only Bosstones disc I need, especially with "Where'd you go", "Someday I suppose", and half of the "Let's face it" album. Who needs that anymore. If you enjoy that "live" energy, and listen to bands like Fishbone and The Reverend Horton Heat, you'll love this.



4. Recorded during the Bosstones annual hometown throwdown shows right after their breakthrough album Let's Face It, Live from the Middle East actually does a good job capturing the essence of the Bosstones live. It features classic songs as well as a ton of songs off of Let's Face It, all in all it's a massive 22 song collection and every song sounds great. The set opens with 1-2-8 off of Let's Face It, it then goes into the classics Do Somethin Crazy, He's Back and one of my favorite Bosstones songs Devil's Night Out. With this live album they also breathe new life into songs such as Dr.D, Howwhywuz Howwhyam, Cowboy Coffee, and Where'd You Go. All of which are highlights of the album. Songs such as Kinder Words, Hope I Never Lose My Wallet, and Hell of a Hat also sound just as good live maybe even better than their studio recordings. Other songs from Let's Face It include the title track, Rascal King, Noise Brigade, Royal Oil, and their hit single, The Impression that I Get. The band sounds very tight on the live album, as any band would after touring for months at a time. Honestly the one low point of the album is the song Royal Oil, I'm just not a fan of that song, I actually think it's one of the worst song's they've ever recorded. The album ends on a great note also with The Impression that I Get, the classic Someday I Suppose (also featured in the movie Clueless), and the short Lights Out, which features the band members going back and forth singing to each other, definately a highlight of the live album. Live from the Middle East is definately worth the money, of course nothing will ever capture the essence of the Bosstones live but this cd comes extremely close, you should definately check them out if you get the chance to.



5. This live CD by the Bosstones is also a nice pre-Pay Attention "greatest hits" collection. Songs are taken from everything from Devil's Night Out to More Noise... to Don't Know How To Party. Many selections also come from Let's Face It. The recording quality is not as bad as some may say. All the songs do credit to the studio versions, with that touch that can only be felt live. The only song that just plain stinks is "The Impression That I Get" because it does nothing to capture the essence of the original masterpiece. Dicky's voice is in top-form, and he switches from growling to his deep tone very nicely. So there you have it. A live 22-track compilation of some of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones greatest. My only gripes are the bad quality of song 20 and all the unneeded language.

3 comments about Guns of Navarone: The Best of the Skatalites.

1. When i first heard the Skatalites I really enjoyed sitting back and listening to them. So I thought I would buy their Best songs. It's a good CD, pretty much has the same tempo throughout it.



2. After God rested in the seventh day She ,then decided to crate Ska, but unfortunatelly for the Europeans, this time SHe choose a small quasi-unknown island in one of the corners of the world. SKa is the music that helped in forming geners like reggae,rocksteady,drum and base, jungle,drumfunk,dancehall,ragga,beatstep,dub acidjazz,wobble,darkstep,techno,techstep,breakcore,stuzzjazz,hipstep,skapunk
   neurofunk,eurofunk,euro-reggae,etc...If you know ur musical generes u'll know that everything started with Ska,, and this is one of the best compilations eva..
   Listen and learn!!



3. The song "Latin Goes Ska" is worth the price of any cd alone. This record is the best compilation of true ska recordings in history. I might also suggest that it goes great with Operation Ivy.

5 comments about Stand by Your Van.

1. This album was mostly recorded live to 16 track tape at Komotion, a warehouse/performance space in San Francisco's Mission District in September 1994. The 1st three tracks were delivered as a "triple threat" medley and create an awesome introduction to an underground band laying down serious jams for a happy few dozen sweaty and drunken friends & fans, with all getting their $5 worth. The band would later go on to sell millions of records, but these tracks are true to the loose spirit and incredible live give and take they had with audiences on certain magic nights.



2. this is a must have album for a Sublime fan... you can feel the vibe as if you were there in the concert.



3. I wish I had a van. Vans are pretty cool. I mean...there's just so much room. And sure, they can't drag real well, but you don't drag in a van. You got subs, and room for gals. And if you're really classy you can get a couple of couches back there and a TV, and you can roll in it.
   
   If I had a van I'd probably be playing this album in it. I kid you not, Stand By Your Van has been in my '04 Taurus' CD player for the last 5 months. That's staying power music isn't supposed to have.
   
   There's something magical about this album. I think it has something to do with the band in general. Sublime was a real band. They were underproduced until their final album, and a lot of the stuff they recorded came straight out of their living room. The problem with that is that their earlier stuff had pretty crappy production. It felt like the music was on plastic. And a lot of their later songs, although good, sounded a bit overproduced.
   
   Stand By Your Van is a perfect blend of good production with that authentic sound you can only get live. Bradley Nowell is drunk, the crowd is singing, a lot of the songs have improved parts. I think this is Sublime at their best. Particularly, the first 8 songs on the album - the flow is amazing, and the live sound tops each and every studio recording.
   
   I'm not the biggest Sublime fan. But I can roll to this album anyday. If you want to hear Sublime, get this.



4. Ok. I'm a big Sublime fan. I have All their cd's but the acoustic one, but anyway, that's not the point. I'm a sucker for live records, and this one is one of thier best. There are a lot of bootleg live albums on the net, and they have their moments, but the sound quality is hard to handle cuz alot of them suck. This is a very good cd. It shows sublime in their true form: "three guys and a dalmation playing reggae and punk songs at parties for beer" to quote, incorrectly, but close enough, the liner notes of this cd. If you are a Sublime fan, get it. Otherwise get 40 oz. To Freedom and s/t. This is a good mix of songs from 40 oz. and Robbin' the Hood. Speaking of which, it does Robbin the Hood justice because they do actual full band versions of the home-produced 4-track songs that were usually just Brad by himself. Highlights include "New Thrash", "Don't Push", "Let's Go Get Stoned", "Greatest Hit's", "Date Rape", "STP", "Pool Shark" (which is a mix of the original and acoustic versions), and an early version of "Caress Me Down". Good Luck.



5. just a correction, brad did not forget the lyrics to caress me down. if you'd listen to what he says (and remember that he died even before the self-title album, which has caress me down on it, was released) then you'd know that he did not have lyrics to the song yet, and improvised them. it was recorded in the studio after performing it live.
   this album is great - buy it. brad is amazing

5 comments about Prince Buster - Fabulous Greatest Hits [Diamond Range].

1. Cecil Bustamente Campbell - better known as Prince Buster - could be called the James Brown of ska and of ska's child, reggae. It was Buster's musical exuberance that almost single handedly formed the second ska revolution - the Tutone revolution in England in the late `70s.
   
   This collection of songs captures some of Busters best work from the `60s. "Madness" (later adopted as the name of the English ska band) and "Al Capone" (later remade by The Specials) are rudeboy anthems in the same vein as the Wailer's "Simmer Down" and Desmond Dekker's "007 (Shanty Town)." Other rudeboy pleasers are the classic "Too Hot" and hilarious "Judge Dread" (both later fabulously redone by The Specials, and the latter name adopted by the immortal Judge Dread). But Busters best quality is his ability to switch gears musically with mercurial ease. "Pharaoh House Crash," "30 Pieces of Silver," and "Blackhead Chineman" deplore the exploitation of the poor and weak at the hands of the greedy. Buster's randy side is shown on "Big Five" and "Rough Rider." Also in the same boat is the classic "Wreck A Pum Pum" wherein Buster not only shows his randy side, but does so in a very blue manner. Aside from lust, Buster shows his gentler, sentimental side for the ladies on "Julie On My Mind" and a remake of "My Girl." And then there's the over-the-top anthem of male braggadocio "Ten Commandments" and the braggadocio of "Earthquake" wherein Buster proclaims that he is Jamaica's musical parallel to Mohammed Ali. However, ever-present throughout his body of work is a sharp sense of humor.
   
   "Fabulous Greatest Hits" is the best Prince Buster collection to date. It is a comprehensive album great for the first time listener. Unfortunately, it does miss a good number of the prolific Buster's best songs, "Whine & Grine" and "Firestick" come to mind. Other collections are often filled with is lesser-known songs and/or a lot of dub versions. So, if you want to hear a true original of ska, and granddaddy to reggae, you should check out Prince Buster - you won't be let down.



2. If they'd spent a few more bucks spent on audio restoration, this could have been wicked! That said, the sound is certainly NOT terrible as was previously suggested. I can't say the choice of songs is definitive, either, and the liner notes are barely there. So, why should you buy this? Because from the first note to the last, this collection rocks! Prince Buster is a true original and, at least until someone puts out the anthology the Prince truly deserves, this belongs in your collection, even if you just have a passing interest in ska.



3. Soem great songs are here, and what dancehall collection would be complete without Orange Street? Some great songs here.



4. This disc is the first and the last one for my Prince Buster collection. The sound is terrible, I understand that this musician recorded its music more than 40 years, but there is no intention for remastering the original records. The music as well as the lyrics is not that good. I would rather recommend ska musicians like The Skatalites.



5. I was having an early drink last week and there was a dj spinning some unusual stuff (for Australia) and suddenly I heard
   "Al Capones guns don't argue" I was off my stool and swinging my hips and clicking my tongue chu chucca chu chucca, just as I did when I was 14 playing my Mums old copy of Al Capone b/w One step beyond (just as she had when she first bought it in 1964)
   I remember the specials/Madness/Selector etc well and went to a couple of ska/2 tone concerts in 1980, but non of those bands come anywhere near the originals. These songs are timeless and have more rhythm than there milk and water copies from the late 70's early 80's. If you like ska, buy it.
   It's a once off buy.

5 comments about Anthem.

1. Alright, I know I'm gonna piss off a few so-called "true LTJ fans". First off, if you're a true fan, you'll understand the way they went with the CD. You may not like it, and you may [...] (way too much, I might add) about it, but that can't change the CD. I personally loved it. Tough cookies.
   
   Now on to the review:
   
   1. Welcome to the New South - 10/10 Very nice opener, with a fast guitar riff to get the listener into the song, followed by Chris' signature sound. I can definitely picture them rocking out to this one.
   
   2. Ghosts of Me and You - 9/10 Loved this one, but there's just something about Roger's voice in this one that makes me want to stop listening to it. That and I heard this one for weeks before I got the CD, and it got boring after a while.
   
   3. Look What Happened (Remix) - 10/10 Heard the B&B version, and I like this one much better. Maybe it's just the punk rocker in me, maybe it's the fact that this song's just awesome.
   
   4. The Science of Selling Yourself Short - 10/10 Never heard a slow-ish LTJ song before, as this was the first LTJ CD I'd ever bought. I loved it, and the music vid they did for this really made me laugh. Roger couldn't have done better.
   
   5. Short Fuse Burning - 11/10 I know. I rated it higher than 10. Sue me. This song...there aren't words enough to describe how awesome it is. Sorta like an ACDC + LTJ + Hooters Hot Wings kinda thing. It is just that good.
   
   6. Motown Never Sounded so Good - 9/10 Once again, this song rocks, and maybe it's just me, but Roger's voice is kinda whiney, like early Tom Petty almost.
   
   7. The Upwards War and the Downturned Cycle - 10/10 Nothing too extremely special here, just some hard rocking and awesome lyrics.
   
   8. Escape From the ABomb House - 9/10 When you first listen to this song, it's amazing and you want to listen forever. Unfortunately, it's got that feel that once you've heard it for a while, it gets horribly repetitive.
   
   9. Best Wishes to Your Black Lung - 10/10 Just plain awesome. I'd like to pack this song, Short Fuse Burning, That's Why They Call it a Union, and Gainesville Rock City into one little album and listen to them forever.
   
   10. She's Gonna Break Soon - 8/10 This one's the album killer. There is nothing worse in a song like this than repetitive "She's gonna break soon, gonna break soon, gonna blah blah blah" over and over again. I liked it for the first ten or twenty plays, but after that, it became "meh".
   
   11. That's Why They Call it a Union - 10/10 This is it. THE song that got me into LTJ. I've loved it forever, and it hasn't let me down yet.
   
   12. Plastic Cup Politics - 10/10 Loved it, nice little ditty about drinking and how it affects things. Great party song.
   
   13. The Brightest Bulb has Burned Out/Screws Fall Out - 11/10 I know, another unfair rating. Like Short Fuse Burning, there aren't words to express how great this song is. Just play it.
   
   14. Surrender (Cover) - 10/10 It's not the original, it's better. Loved it, but like Escape From the ABomb House it gets old after a lot of plays.
   
   There you have it! If I had to recommend this CD in three words or less, it would probably be this: GET THIS ONE!!!!



2. This is vintage Less Than Jake. Fun, slightly homogenous, but fun enough to make up for that for the most part. The new version of "Look What Happened", "Science of Selling Yourself Short" and their cover of "Surrender" are LTJ at their best. The album does kinda fade into a blur towards the middle, but snaps out of it with the decent "She's Gonna Break Soon" and the excellent "Brightest Bulb Has Burnt Out" There isnt anything quite as brilliantly simple yet easygoing and fun as "History of a Boring Town" or "Gainesville Rock City". But there's plenty here to add to the library. It isnt a highlight in their career, but far from a blemish.



3. Their maturity as songrwriters gets better and better with every album... None of their other albums quite compare to the songwriting talent displayed in this.



4. Just because of this album, Less Than Jake goes to #2 on my list of favorites(No one can kick Sublime out of my #1)



5. Ok, First of all... this message goes out to all the reviewers who say that I'm stupid or wrong for rating Anthem less than 5 stars. A review is an opinion and I will rate based on MY opinion. If you don't agree with me, then so be it. All you judgemental naysayers can just ignore my review and go buy this CD and listen to it all day long. You can love it, marry it, sleep with it, and cook it dinner. Good for you. Thats Your opinion.
   As far as my opinion goes... THIS ALBUM WAS A DISAPPOINTMENT.
   
   I first started listening to Less Than Jake when they released Losing Streak, dead set in the middle of the late 90's ska revival. I loved em. I love the ska/punk sound in general. I love the upbeat songs, skankin' guitars, and the horns all rolled into happy little 3 minute packages that barrage your eardrums with fun. I thought Losing streak was a really good album. Then Hello Rockview was released. That album convinced me that Less Than Jake was one of the best ska/punk bands anywhere because I was crazy about every single track on the disk and I couldn't have asked for more. Next out was Borders and Boundaries, which was ALMOST as good as Hello Rockview, but not quite. I still enjoyed it immensely.
   
   and then came ...Anthem...
   
   I bought the CD almost immediately after its release date expecting another fantastic album.
   WOW. I couldn't believe the disappointment I'd bought, and it was a doozy!
   The very first thing I noticed, and it may well be the one thing that upset me most, was the fact that they rerecorded one of the best songs from Borders and Boundaries, Look What Happened. In the rerecorded version, they removed the entire horn intro and made the song more of a punk song, removing much of the horn parts, or making them barely audible over the other instruments. That annoyed me right from the start. So after the initial shock and annoyance, I listened to the album once though as I do with most new CDs. I found about half of the tracks to be rather lousy. The songs weren't interesting or catchy and they seemed difficult to sing or hum along with for lack of an interesting melody (I'm a sucker for a good melody). Much of the horn sound for which Less Than Jake had become heavily assiciated with was either missing altogether, or barely audible over the other instruments. After a few more listens through the CD... and 3 years later, I STILL find that I only like about half of the songs on the CD... and that may be a generous estimate. I admit that one or two have grown on me since, but a truly good album shouldn't have to grow ion you.
   I did eventually burn myself a custom copy of Anthem using only the tracks that I like and the GOOD version of Look What Happened from the Borders and Boundaries album (YES, I already owned both of the CDs!) and now I can enjoy my copy of Anthem without all the garbage tracks.
   
   My Final Thought:
   My opinion is that Anthem is a big disappointment from previous Less Than Jake CDs. If you're considering this album, I strongly suggest you listen to the sound clips and base your decision on them. I also mention that if you were a big fan of earlier Less Than Jake albums, you may well be disappointed with this one.
   ...But hey, thats just my opinion...

5 comments about Devils Night Out.

1. I don't write many reviews. I got into these guys back when "Don't Know How to Party" came out and I worked by way backwards to "Devil's Night Out" and while both are great albums, "Devil's Night" is just more raw, live, and fun. We used to party our aces off in college to this one, espcially "bartender song" and "the cave" although the whole album is good. Its a party in and of itself.



2. This is the Bosstones at their best. Fast brass rock. Ska to the core. They've put out nothing like it since. Oh skank heaven.



3. this is the bosstones greatest cd ever! it was the first one i ever heard and to this day remains the best...i enjoy their other stuff and own almost every album but this remains my personal fav...not just by them but my favorite ska album!
   highly reccomend this to anyone!



4. Best Bosstones album ever.Dicky's gravely,ripping vocals adds to the great combination of punk and ska.Best album out there.Devil's Night Out and Haji are two of the best songs on this cd,although this cd can be listened the whole way through with out skipping any tracks.



5. This album is great. Bosstones really know how to play good music. most of the songs are really good, do somethin crazy is the best! I also really like the beginning of 'Hope I Never Lose My Wallet'

   get this one, you'll love it

5 comments about Keasbey Nights.

1. It's tough to be a fan of ska music. On the one hand there are the critics, who rip the party-fueled genre of ska -- a term for a brassy, syncopated, hooky style of music -- as inane and insubstantial. On the other hand, there are the hardcore "skanks" who will overwhelm you and scare you away from the genre with their near-violent dedication and appreciation. Especially if you see them at a concert.
   
   And yet, trapped between these two extremes are a few really good bands and albums. Good, heartfelt, powerful music is universal. Regardless of your views towards the genre, there is some ska that should earn your respect on its own terms.
   
   Catch 22's debut, Keasbey Nights, is an example of music that you should not judge based on the movement it is a part of, but as a collection of excellent songs presented with tremendous impact. Give the album a chance, a few listens, and you'll find a mesmerizing, brilliant album.
   
   From beginning to end, Keasbey Nights is a provoking look at troubled adolescence. Tomas Kalnoky, the primary songwriter on the album, comes across as a bright, articulate kid who tries to understand why he's depressed. From this theme springs violence, loneliness, bitterness, vulnerability, and more. But most important is that each song is an earnest bit of perspective into his world and his mind.
   
   To back up this lyrical introspection is instantly memorable music. The band has no hesitation to layer catchy hook upon catchy hook. There is no inhibition and self-consciousness; you can tell each member of the band puts their all into every song. And yet, each song is paced and planned carefully. Once the groundwork is laid, the band goes nuts with it. The fast and loud parts are relentless, the slow and quiet parts are tender.
   
   None of this is possible, though, if the album doesn't provide the songs to back up the concept. Fortunately, this is another area that Keasbey Nights shines: nearly every track is a small masterpiece of brutal honesty and a high-energy fusion of ska, punk, and jazz. The title track is the most famous track, and reasonably so. The contemplation of self-inflicted violence has a chorus that will be in your head for months. Nothing is filler, though: Supernothing is masterful self-deprecation, Riding the Fourth Wave is a nice improvisation number, Day In Day Out is bitter cry of independence, etc.
   
   The real cornerstone of the album is the final track, "1234 1234." A line like "There's more to you, there's more to life, there's more than meets the eye" might feel cliche on a lesser album. With the thirteen tracks that precede it, though, it's instead an insight. Furthermore, the riff from "1234 1234 is emblematic of the irresistible hooks that fill this album and features some of the best drumming you'll ever hear.
   
   If you insist upon viewing the album through genres, you'll see that it's based in ska and punk, with influences of jazz. This variety works well: the sound is never as grating and repetitive as punk, nor as mellow and subdued as the old reggae style of ska. The solos, while solid, are not necessarily virtuosic, but give a professional and improvisational feel to the album that really balances the pace of the songs.
   
   Ultimately, the pieces of Keasbey Night come together to form an outstanding album. Good music needs an emotional core to give it substance, and heartfelt lyrics need strong music to make them memorable. Keasbey Nights tackles both of these dilemmas with skill and with honesty, a powerful and astonishing mix.



2. There's some really good songs on this CD that make me still keep it around but some of the songs on this CD are really boring too.



3. "Keasby nights" is classic. Everyone's gotta love this album. It rules! Every song is great! If you even remotely like ska, get this!



4. If Catch-22's "Keasbey Nights" was sex, it would cause a huge orgasm. Not only is this the greatest ska album made in the last 10 years (if not more), but it even qualifies for one of the best rock albums mad in the past 10 years. It mixes fast punk, horns, reggea, dub, and just about everything else to make a great mix of greatness. If I could give it a million stars, I would.
   The thing that a lot of people don't understand is that it isn't supposed to sound mainstream and perfect. It was made by a bunch of guys who were bored and liked fast music. They went to a crappy studio and put out an AMAZING record, and now they're a famous band within their niche of the music market.
   Ska is an aquired taste, and one who likes ska must like Catch-22's "Keasbey Nights" fore it defines what music should sound like today!!
   :)



5. Catch 22 really got me into ska with this album. It melodic, fast paced yet slow and groovy at times. The songs are just plain fun. I can't listen to this album without singing at the top of my lungs. Its a must have for any ska fan.