Ska music reviews

Easily one of the best ska bands to date and are actually still touring and producing tunes. This album really showcases how damn good these musicians are. The 1st track, "Wasted Days" is a damn killer way to open up things. It really sets the mood throughout the rest of the album. Every track on this album is consistently good. I find myself either nodding along, shoulder groovin, skankin, or singing off key to the lyrics. Incredible musicans and Vic's voice is buttah. Buy This!

Fav tracks: Wasted Days, Old Days, Midnight Rendezvous

this is just an amazing album. i haven't gone 2 days without listening to at least one of the songs on it since i got it a few weeks ago. i can't really say enough good things about the album, so i'll just say go buy it and groove on to the groovy goodness.

I don't think this is the best offering from The Slackers, but they're such an amazing band that this definetly still merits five stars. I really like the title track, "Walking On," "Midnight Rendezvous," "Wanted Dead or Alive," "Please Decide," "Easy" and "Dave's Friend," but most of the tracks are really good. Good variety of sound, it's pretty solid all around but I liked Redlight better.

I have had this disc since it was released and whenever(always) I need a BM fix I throw this into rotation, along with many other oddities and traditional "Estate" sanctioned discs. I saw the honorable Robert Nesta Marley live before his untimely death and still get chils whenever I relive the experience. That is exactly what this recording does; it brings to life again the Rastaman Vibration; you can almost smell the heavy smoke in the air. I own several of the Japanese recordings that I imagine are nothing more than glorified bootlegs. This particular recording is better than some of the other Japanese imports but not exactly "Babylon By Bus" or "Live" in terms of sound quality. It is recorded with more emphasis on the Wailers playing, with some really wicked bass lines where the chug-a-chug jumps out at you and the rhythm guitar transcends and drives some exceptional riffs home. As for the vocals, they are solid and have a raw power that only matches the live experience itself. The audience is recorded very hot at the end of the songs and the exuberance is only matched by the excitement projected by BM. At times the audience is left drained, much like the after effects of a love making session; in essence it is a reciprocal experience of love between the audience and the great performer and his message. The variety of songs, from different points in his career are a highlight that captures the depth of this shooting stars soul. The often live recorded "No Woman , No Cry " makes you want to sway with an imaginary crowd in the glow of Marleys charismatic magic. The I-Threes backup vocals are icing on the cake. The radical national anthem calling for equality , "Get Up stand Up" is as poignant today as it was then. The vocals are outstanding, full of fervor and improvisation with BM going into his legendary taunting of the audience for a call and response to his "Ohhhhh, ahhhhhh, Yo-Yo-Yo" that eventually results in the audience going it alone, repeting the phrase without BM's prodding, as I imagine from my concert experience , BM goes into his hipnotic skanking state. This disc captures the intensity as the crowd is worked into a frenzy and calls out his name over and over, Marley, Marley , Marley until he begins playing again. This disc is for big fans of Bob Marley, those that can't seem to ever get enough . Recommended for the true Bob Marley fan who has it all but also for those new to the greatest reggae musician mystic to have ever walked the planet.

This is an excellent show. However, the Japanese rip off label has purposely omitted songs from this show. This is obvious since if you trade music via the web it is relatively easy to acquire the entire show including the I Threes opening act. Shun these rip offs and trade for the shows to put these pirates out of business. You might say Marley traders are pirates yet the Marley Estate is unlikely to release these tapes.

Sound quality good to very good. This is a very good show overall, but the second half is incredably powerful. Even if you just have a casual interest in Bob pick this one up and be pleasantly suprised. Also, it's better to just pretend that the songs these Japanese companies omit wer'nt there, I know it sucks but what are you gonna do.This really is one of the best Marley shows that you can buy.

I have to give this one a four because I feel that the songs in the middle of the disc kind of drag, and are not the best choices, but the first 10 and the last 6 or so are some of the best punk/ska songs I've heard. They have assembled recordings from some of the best small name bands, and gotten a few real small bands best recordings. This is a disc I think all ska fans will enjoy, since there is a wide variety of styles represented, some more than others. I recommend this cd to all fans of ska music.

It takes a little while to get into, but it pays off. The first song is very nice and catchy, and it just gets better from there. Some of the best songs are by Mu330, The Usuals, Millencolin, The Chinkees, Mustard Plug and Unsteady. The trumpet solo in The Homeless Wonders' song is one of my favorite, and the trombone solo in JFC's Dream Girl just blew me away. The Hippos' song is great too (I have both of their cds, though, so I occasionaly skip it.) Also, the Johnny Socko song (though short and odd,) is very funny, as is Mephishapheles' tune. The Hepcat song, tough, is definitely a notch below their other work, and the rx bandits song is pretty lame. Ocean 11's song (if you want to call it that) really, really sucks. The Impossibles song is pretty lame too, but Liberator's catchy tune covers for that. Congrats to LTJ for taking a crappy Grease song, and making it sound really awesome. Definitely something worth checking out, especially if you're just getting into 3rd wave. If you're already a big ska fan, I'd suggest not picking it up unless you like a lot of the bands on here.

this cd is awesome. everysong on it gets you in the mood to skank the night away. the ltj remix of we go together sounds totally cool. props to them for taking a generic 50's song and making it into their own thing. everything else sounds good too. im just getting into third wave ska and this cd rox my world. a must buy for skankers and rudies.

This is great for many reasons:

1) It's a good chance to hear the band as it just started to shed its early punk sound and become much darker-sounding. Its also a chance to hear them without any fancy Martin Hannett production trickery.

2) It's a remarkable document of just how much Ian's voice changed in a very short time. This is a snarling, snotty sounding, angry young man at the mic - nothing to even hint that in two years he'd be crooning like a despondent Frank Sinatra on songs like "Love Will Tear Us Apart" and "Heart And Soul". Listen to "Walked in Line" on this album and compare it to the version from "Still." Its hard to believe they were only done a year apart.

3) It's got a couple of what i feel are the best versions of Joy Division songs: "Shadowplay," "No Love Lost," "Leaders of Men," and "Novelty" all sound better here, even in their somewhat rough recordings, than any other version I know of.

4) Only 3 of the 11 songs here are included on the box set.

5) For sheer comic value, you have to love the last five songs - these are the earliest, rawest recordings of Joy Division. Sometimes I just crack up listening to these incredibly primitive cuts - "You're No Good For Me" could have been done by any number of booze-soaked louts. But even as early as July '77 Ian's lyrics were already chilling: "Human beings are dangerous and they call me in the dark" (At A Later Date), for example. Plus you get the immortal "Warsaww!!!" howl at the beginning of "Gutz."

This is a very good "punk" album and a very interesting Joy Division album. Highly recommended.

Joy Division was a rock band. That comes through on this album. The sound is raw as is the recording but for me it's the best one, the least compromised one the most rebellious one. Great band never to return. One of those inexplicable "clicked".

I owned this album for two decades as a bootleg tape that got passed around the Berkeley punk scene in the early eighties, and it never failed to become the favorite music of anyone I turned on to it. Joy Division always seems to sound better (to me) at their rawest, and the lower sound quality adds an edge of doom not found on the sanctioned version (of course this could just be that it reminds me of scratchy records). Either way, if you're a fan of "Closer" or New Order, I'm pretty sure you won't dig this. If you were immediately hypnotized by "Unknown Pleasures" like I was at fifteen, this is essential.

I like the song, "Doin' Time". I have the tape of Sublime's self-titled album (which may I add is great). So when I got this CD from my friend Nick (a sublime fanatic), I took it home, popped it in, hit play, and relaxed (i woulda grooved if I weren't so tired). Here's the tracks and my reviews for 'em.

1. BRADLEY VERSION: It's the same as #4. It's the same exact thing. They shoulda put another remix in it's place. 2. WYCLEF JEAN VERSION: This is a good remix. Wyclef changed the background tune to the same tune (or similar) of Ghetto Superstar. In other words, there's more guitars in it. 3. PHARCYDE VERSION: The tune remains the same, except some of Brad's lyrics were omitted (taken out) so The Pharcyde could rap a bit. All in all, the song comes out okay. 4. ALBUM VERSION: The same as #1. It's the one off of the self-titled disc, and it sounds the same (which is pretty damned good).

So if you like Sublime, or just "Doin' Time", buy this because it's interesting to hear those remixes, believe me!

I think that anything SUBLIME puts out is great. I'm glad that Brads music still lives and this is one of their best songs. If you like SUBLIME try Long Beach Dub All Stars.

Sublime is a band that started off in the garage and ended up in the big leagues. It is heart breaking to think of the loss of Brad. But anyway this song and alot of they're others f***ing rule!!

I bought this CD when I was about 15 or 16 and it still plays in my stereo when I'm into a little underground mix of chicanos playing by there own set of rules. What I mean is that this record contains crisp hardcore with strong connecting ska riffs and choruses. This is probably all thanks to producer GGGGGGGarth who has worked with the best of the best and is probably one of the most influential unsung heroes in the music business back in the day of the 90's! Anyways the album never let's down and just like the cover of the CD it sounds like a hot rod on some hopped up fuel. If your into a little different mix than this is something worth checking out. The band contains a guitarist , a bass player, a drummer, and a singer but also with a horn section as well so expect the unexpected when you listen to the VOODOO GLOW SKULLS!

These guys are awesome both live and on CD. This is one of the first that got me into punk/ska music years ago. They keep it real. They have their own destinctive sound/style and they stick to it. My favorite on this CD is, of cousre, "el coo cooi" hehe This is a must-have for any ska fanatic.

this was my introduction to VGS, and what can i say i was completely blown away and imagine to my surprise being a cali girl these guys are from my hometown! they are even more awesome in person!!! my brother loves them too and takes his friends to all the local shows. i love so many songs on here but especially: El Coo Cooi, fat randy, malas palabras, land of misfit toys, closet monster. these guys are awesome!!!

I bought this CD when I was about 15 or 16 and it still plays in my stereo when I'm into a little underground mix of chicanos playing by there own set of rules. What I mean is that this record contains crisp hardcore with strong connecting ska riffs and choruses. This is probably all thanks to producer GGGGGGGarth who has worked with the best of the best and is probably one of the most influential unsung heroes in the music business back in the day of the 90's! Anyways the album never let's down and just like the cover of the CD it sounds like a hot rod on some hopped up fuel. If your into a little different mix than this is something worth checking out. The band contains a guitarist , a bass player, a drummer, and a singer but also with a horn section as well so expect the unexpected when you listen to the VOODOO GLOW SKULLS!

These guys are awesome both live and on CD. This is one of the first that got me into punk/ska music years ago. They keep it real. They have their own destinctive sound/style and they stick to it. My favorite on this CD is, of cousre, "el coo cooi" hehe This is a must-have for any ska fanatic.

this was my introduction to VGS, and what can i say i was completely blown away and imagine to my surprise being a cali girl these guys are from my hometown! they are even more awesome in person!!! my brother loves them too and takes his friends to all the local shows. i love so many songs on here but especially: El Coo Cooi, fat randy, malas palabras, land of misfit toys, closet monster. these guys are awesome!!!

I have always liked the Ernies for their uniqueness, but for some reason, I got tired of listening to it. Its all cool, and has funny lyrics, awesome chorus, and great saxophone solos, but still, it IS all the same as another reviewer mentioned. Still, you should try it out if you are into Ska, Punk, Rock, or whatever. (For a quick laugh and a very temporary favorite band.) It is a very cool, and funny album, but it gets old really quick, and the lead might drive you up the wall with his... unique singing talet... but it REALLY gets old. Ocassionlly I still listen to it, but it doesn't have as much of a charm as before.

It's Digestible! The Ernies rock, and they rock hard. Their first album was pure old school ska, but by Meson Ray they have toned up into more of a 3rd wave, 311-esque rock. The lyrics are amazing, absolutely stunning dropping science. A clip from "It's Digestible":

"Q-tip's pop says that hip-hop reminded him of be-bop and now there's something called trip-hop so like Thucydides, let's check the histories in the hopes of clearin' up any mysteries: hip-hop, be-bop, ragtime to jazz, takin' it to that afro-cuban pizzazz, r&b, gospel and blues, how could you lose the connection to rock but hip-hop and rock are only two-thirds of the tryptic the other panel, it's a little more eclectic like ska, in the first wave, to 2tone, to third wave, to reggae, to dub, to trip-hop to techno, to disco, it all comes down to afro-caribbean rhythms and something more incredible, the universe entertaining itself in a way that's digestible..."

Sweet down home rude boys. Richmond couldn't be prouder and we are waiting for the reunion tour.

This is real good stuff. Ska isn't my favorite genre, but The Ernies make it seem that way while listening to them. "Fire" and "Here and Now" are extremely awesome. These guys also have a sense of humor. Their choice of words are very intelligent, but they do it in such a funny way. Check it out if you aren't one of those blockheads that think music has to be serious.

this was my least fave of all rancid albums, but it wasn't bad at all. they are still my fave band though i prefer earlier stuff. there are some awesome songs on this album. but dont go saying they're not 'punk' or they're more 'punk' and dont go saying that all the bands like good charlotte and wahtever are all disgusting people. i personally dont like htem but i cant say they are terrible because they are decent musicians, and i dont know them as people, and neitehr does anyone else i bet. punk has become so snobby and elite. who cares if an albums 'punk' or anything else, just listen to it. the classifications really dont matter as long as you enjoy the music.

It doesnt matter if u like rancid or not, if u like punk or not, you deserve the chance to rock out to one of best albums ever! Every track on Indestructable has its place, and the CD wouldnt be as great if one song was missing. This is how each track makes Indestructable an untouchable album.
Track 1- Indestructable- The perfect song to start off the album, not too long not too short, it gets to the point.
rack 2- Fall Back down- Perfect song. Its in the perfect place, right after the first (intro-like) song, but not too late into the CD. Right after ths song youll be thinking "its good so far". But this is just the beginning.
Track 3- Red Hot Moon- This song is one of my favorites on the album. It has a feel to it that makes it sound kind of weird, in a punk rock way. Most people hate Rob Aston, but he plays a big role in this song. His part gives htis song a good ending leaving you wanting more.
Track 4- David Courtney- In this part of the album, everything gets going more harder, thanks to this song. At first you will probably think its the stupidest song ever, but it kinda has a story to it. And before you know it, youll be catching yourself singing "Well, all you mother f***ers...."
Track 5- Start now- Another one of my favorite songs on the album. One of the more cathier songs on here. You really start getting into the CD right about here.
Track 6- Out of control- Again, one of the harder songs on the album. It gets you ready to rock out like youve never rocked out before.
Track 7- Djanjo- Not a song youll remember throughout the CD on youre first listen. But the second time you listen to this song, youll love it, trust me.
Track 8- Arrested in Shanghai- A cool song thats fun to listen to. Will probably be one of the songs you remember.
Track 9- Travis Bickle- For some reason this song is one of my favorites too. You can tell Rancid put a lot of work into this one song. Once you really listen to it, youll see how great it is.
Track 10- Memphis- I laugh whenever I listen to this song. Its a cool song dont get me wrong but, I just find it funny. A catchy song that is right where it needs to be.
Track 11- Spirit of 87- I love this song. You will probably love it too. Its cool to just listen to what their saying.
Track 12- Ghost band- This is that one song that you think is really boring and is probably the worst song on the CD. But its a really punk rock song and kinda leads you into the next track.
Which is good.
Track 13- Tropical London- Most people hate this song because they think Tim is complaining about everything. Well, this is that kinda love song that all CDs have. And is very catchy, in the chorus and versus.
Track 14- Roadblock- A very punk rock song. About being on the road. Kinda leads you into the next track. Which is also very good.
Track 15- Born Frustrated- Another very punk rock song. Will remind you of oldschool Rancid.
Track 16- Back up against the wall- Right about here is where most people stop listening. But this song is awesome. You be singing this one for years to come.
Track 17- Ivory coast- Reminds me of another song I cant remember the name of. This song leads you into the next track. Which believe me, is never a bad thing.
Track 18- Stand your Ground- My favorite song on the Album. And to think a lot of people who own this CD never really listen to this song. Its about being homeless and everything. Very catchy and youll probably want to hear it 2 times.
Track 19- Otherside- The last track ont he album. Just like the first track, its not too long and not too short. Its a good ending song.
So when you buy this CD, listen to it in one sitting, from start to finish. Believe me youll like it whole lot more. And for those people who are wondering why i said "Indestructable is Untouchable!" Its because if you listen to LFATB' Viking. On "switchblade" youll hear Lars mention being "untouchable". Just like Indestructable.

10 yrs and they still havent changed much. this is a wonderful cd and it even comes with a RANCID patch and t-shirt. it has the dude from the transplants and it has out of control thats from need for speed underground. constant hardcore. wonderful. not as good as and out come the wolves though.

...possibly the 1st Ska Parade disc. It's a lot better. The best song on this Ska Parade is The Equators Song with Angelo Moore. "Ready Steady Go" is a cover of a generation X song from the 70's. Buy one of their CDs instead. This CD works as background music when you aren't really listening to it.

Runnin' Naked Thru The Cornfield not only provides well-known bands such as Reel Big Fish and Save Ferris, but it also offers music by popular non-mainstream artists. The CD allows listeners to enjoy the common Third Wave sound while educating them on a different branch of ska as well. If you're one of those people who only listens to Reel Big Fish, then this album isn't for you. However, if you're willing to experience the mainstream ska scene and still open your mind to the underground sound, then there's not a doubt in my mind that you'll enjoy this CD.

This is one of the best CDs in the WORLD! I listen to it over and over yet I am never tired due to the vast variety of ska which you get to let your ears delve into on this CD.