Search on DeBaser Reviews Ska Revival

 It’s the difference between those who want to mimic the greats by doing soulless covers... and then you go do karaoke somewhere...

 The Arpioni who put their own stamp on it. Meaning soul and mind. Brilliant!

Arpioni’s album revisits Jannacci’s classics with a creative mix of ska and reggae, enriched by jazz-like brass and nostalgic 50s pop elements. The band avoids mere imitation, instead stamping their own soulful identity on the material. Notably, their ska rendition of one of Jannacci’s most famous tracks stands out. Overall, the album is a brilliant homage blending tradition and innovation. Listen now to Arpioni’s soulful ska-reggae tribute to Jannacci and experience classic Italian songs reinvented!

 It has found in Mama Ska one of the greatest exponents of this Latin-Salentine soul.

 The band, for the occasion, chose not to have a stage but to share their music directly among the audience.

Mama Ska celebrates 20 years with their new album 'Viva la Vida, Viva l’amor!', blending Jamaican rhythms and Apulian tradition. Featuring collaborations with prominent Salento artists and innovative animated videos, the album brings fresh energy to the regional music scene. Their hit 'Cielo di Puglia' captures the essence of local culture with vibrant imagery and captivating sound. The band’s recent concert emphasized connection by performing amidst their audience. Listen to Mama Ska’s vibrant new album and experience the lively fusion of Caribbean beats and Apulian soul today!

 "There are songs that make you fall in love at first listen, and make you want to explore more music from that artist/group you might have never heard before."

 "Dispatch stays simple, they do not overindulge in technicality despite being excellent multi-instrumentalists, but they create a fantastic mix of groove and melody."

This review highlights Dispatch's 1997 album Bang Bang as a standout of 90s indie rock, blending reggae, funk, and melodic arrangements. Songs like 'Here We Go' and 'The General' are praised for their catchy riffs and meaningful lyrics. The band’s evolution from acoustic origins to electric instrumentation is noted. Overall, the album is recommended for rock fans seeking diverse and engaging music. Listen to Dispatch's Bang Bang and experience one of the 90s best indie rock albums today!

 Mêis novo, dïa novo, vigor novo... is the perfect definition for this LP.

 Come Vuoi, a beautiful mix of vaudeville and twist with charming retro choruses.

The review highlights Persiana Jones' album Puerto Hurraco as a fresh and energetic fusion of rocksteady and punk. Standout songs like Nuovo giorno and Come Vuoi bring diversity and charm. The album, while not perfect, is well-crafted and contributes new vitality to the Italian crossover-ska scene. Its spirited mix encourages movement and embodies authenticity. Listen to Persiana Jones' Puerto Hurraco for a fresh punk and rocksteady fusion that will move your limbs and spirit!

 "The Ska of 'Unyielding Conditioning' makes me smile with genuine delight because Fishbone is, first and foremost, a band that has made fun a reason for living."

 "A record that, in all honesty, does not reach the prodigious and unreachable heights of their undisputed masterpiece... but I still give it five stars."

This review vividly recounts a personal hiking experience powered by Fishbone’s 1993 album. The energetic mix of funk, rock, and ska perfectly complements the journey’s challenges and calm moments. While not surpassing the band’s masterpiece, this album earns a solid five-star rating for its creativity and enduring impact. Listen to Fishbone’s dynamic 1993 album and experience the perfect fusion of funk, rock, and ska!

 The Specials introduce social and political themes in their lyrics, which culminated in their 1984 hit, 'Free Nelson Mandela.'

 Listening to the album is still more than enjoyable today, and then, ska always puts me in a good mood.

The Specials' 1979 self-titled debut is a seminal ska album combining catchy rhythms with socially conscious lyrics. Unlike the fun-oriented Madness, The Specials address political themes such as racial integration. Produced by Elvis Costello, the album features standout tracks like 'A Message to You Rudy' and 'Monkey Man.' The reviewer finds the album still enjoyable and mood-lifting decades later. Listen to The Specials' debut album now and experience the powerful fusion of ska and social commentary!

 "This album is an incoherent but courageous work, a much more interesting chapter than the debut album."

 "The restless Jerry Dammers... sensed that the 'Second Wave' was becoming a worn-out cliché and decided to lead the group towards unexplored waters."

The Specials' sophomore album 'More Specials' diverges from their debut's upbeat ska roots to explore a bold and eclectic mix of post-ska styles. Jerry Dammers leads the band into uncharted musical territory blending lounge, Latin, electronic, and psychedelic elements. Despite internal tensions, the album stands as a courageous and intriguing chapter in their career. It is recommended for listeners seeking more complex and adventurous sounds. Dive into The Specials' daring 'More Specials' and explore their bold post-ska soundscape today!

 "Melody, anger, and hatred merge in unison in their compositions to reveal truths about an inert country."

 "The songs in the CD are all well connected by a thread of denunciation towards society, both past and emerging..."

Talco's Mazel Tov is a powerful punk/ska album marked by strong social and political critique. Despite being better known abroad than in Italy, the band's passionate and melodic approach exposes societal flaws and rampant capitalism. The album features cohesive themes of resistance, memory, and injustice, reflecting the band's growth through extensive touring. Talco delivers honest, raw messages with simplicity and determination. Listen to Talco’s Mazel Tov and experience punk/ska fueled social critique!

 The New York Ska Jazz Ensemble truly refreshed me, and even though the haze of sleep made everything more polished and blurred, I perfectly remember the impact those solos, those themes, that clear dynamism of swing applied to the most immediate facets of the "Jamaican style", made on me.

 Beauty (and I would say "refinement") and fun can come together and result in remarkable and striking products.

The review highlights the refreshing and dynamic blend of jazz and ska in New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble's live album recorded in Europe. The author praises the skilled instrumental solos, smart arrangements, and the seamless merging of swing and ska elements. Despite a rocky start with one track, the album shines with standards reinterpreted and energetic performances. The work is celebrated for being both artistically mature and accessible. Discover the lively fusion of ska and jazz—listen to New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble's Live In Europe and experience a vibrant musical journey today!

 "De Reyes A Bufones starts immediately with 'Trago Amargo' which fully captures the eclecticism of the Costa Rican band."

 "For fans of South American folk music, definitely a good album, played with passion, naturally live."

Republica Fortuna, a large Costa Rican band, blends South American folk and soft ska on their album De Reyes A Bufones. With up to 12 members, their music mixes joyful dance rhythms and melancholic moments. Key tracks feature prominent horns, accordion, percussion, and harmonious vocals. The album showcases passion and live energy, making it a strong choice for lovers of Latin folk and ska. Listen to Republica Fortuna's vibrant folk-ska fusion and experience the lively rhythms of De Reyes A Bufones today!

 With this record, Millencolin began to make a name for themselves outside of Sweden, obtaining the first glimmers of success.

 'Buzzer,' a true pogo anthem with a frenetic rhythm and a chorus already to hum along to on the first listen.

Life on a Plate is Millencolin's crucial second album that marked their rise beyond Sweden. Blending melodic hardcore with punk and ska undertones, it features highlights like 'Buzzer' and 'Move Your Car.' Though not as mature as subsequent releases, it set the stage for international recognition, especially through their deal with Epitaph Records. Recommended for fans of 90s melodic punk. Listen to Life on a Plate and explore the rise of Millencolin's melodic punk legacy!

 Why settle for one masterpiece when you can gather about fifty in a single record?

 A single musical whirlwind, exciting and unprecedented, explainable only through listening.

Miniatures - A Sequence of 51 Tiny Masterpieces is a groundbreaking 1981 album produced by Morgan Fisher. It features 51 artists each contributing approximately one minute of music, spanning punk, prog, avant-garde, and new wave. The album compiles diverse sounds into a unified and exciting musical experience. Notable contributions include Andy Partridge and Robert Fripp. This unique, ambitious project captures a dynamic period in music history. Discover the groundbreaking blend of 51 unique musical gems—listen to Miniatures and experience a one-of-a-kind sonic journey!

 A musical collective of 26 members that gives away their albums from their website, endowed with such spontaneous and genuine foolishness that it becomes fundamental.

 If you’re in a good mood and your Pavement records have worn out, replace them with the new fools in the circle. It will do you good.

The reviewer expresses a renewed appreciation for listening on vinyl, finding peace and focus through the ritual. Bomb the Music Industry!'s 'Scrambles' is praised for its vibrant, eclectic blend of genres, energetic performances, and playful spirit. The album is recommended for those looking for fresh and fun music infused with spontaneity and honesty. It's a celebration of musical community and shared joy. Dive into 'Scrambles' and experience Bomb the Music Industry!'s joyful, genre-melding energy today!

 The weak point of the four Californians, unfortunately accentuated here, is the constant choice to stuff the album with fillers sandwiched between the best songs.

 Fat Mike’s humor remains good when dealing with delicate issues like the death penalty in 'The man I killed,' while criticism of the Bush administration is present in 'Usa holes.'

NoFX’s tenth album sticks closely to their established punk style with few surprises. Despite some strong tracks like "Usa Holes" and politically charged lyrics, the album suffers from too many fillers and a lack of the ska influences present in earlier works. Acoustic ballads replace former energetic segments, which may divide longtime fans. Overall, 'Wolves In Wolves' Clothing' delivers moderate highlights but does not fully satisfy. Discover the highs and lows of NoFX's 'Wolves In Wolves' Clothing'—stream the album and hear the punk politics firsthand!

 "Punk In Drublic, an anagram of 'Drunk in public,' is certainly what brought Fat Mike and company to international success."

 "An album that is still good, with great hits alternating with very negligible tracks and at times filler content."

NoFX's 'Punk In Drublic' is a major album that helped define the band's international success by mixing fast punk with ska influences and politically charged lyrics. While it includes standout tracks such as 'The Cause' and 'Dying Degree,' the album also features some weaker and filler songs toward the end. Noted for its lack of choruses in many songs, the album remains a good but imperfect punk classic within NoFX's discography. Discover the highs and lows of NoFX's 'Punk In Drublic'—listen now to experience this punk classic for yourself!

 The final result is decidedly positive because you find within it every musical influence of the band and all the sonic solutions previously experimented and proposed.

 This Indestructible is a great album that can be fully appreciated precisely because it manages to change pace from song to song, never getting boring by alternating relaxed moments with others of pure adrenaline.

Rancid's sixth studio album, Indestructible, revisits the band's past styles while delivering a cohesive and energetic punk experience. It balances street punk, ska, reggae, and hardcore influences with a more relaxed yet adrenaline-filled vibe. The album is seen as underrated, offering variety without boredom across its 19 tracks. Despite criticism about the band's major label distribution, the album maintains Rancid's authentic sound and remains a must-have for punk fans. Listen to Rancid's Indestructible and experience a powerful blend of punk, ska, and hardcore you won't forget!

 The greatest merit of this album is another: the cheerful vitality that permeates it, highly engaging, able to make you forget any problem or worry for 58 minutes and 50 seconds.

 ‘Two Shoes’ is a really valid work, a nice cocktail of reggae, hip-hop, jazz, ska, and Cuban rhythms, a mix of different influences and genres that blend perfectly without any smudge.

Two Shoes by The Cat Empire is a dynamic second album blending reggae, jazz, ska, and Cuban rhythms seamlessly. Recorded in Havana, it earned double platinum in Australia and marked a global breakthrough. The album’s infectious energy offers listeners a joyful escape for nearly an hour. Standout tracks include ‘In My Pocket’ and ‘The Night That Never Ends,’ making it a highly recommended, feel-good listen. Listen to The Cat Empire’s Two Shoes and experience an infectious blend of rhythms that will lift your spirits and get you dancing!

 Tricarico is a truly original singer-songwriter, difficult to define even in the canonical sense.

 The album shifts focus more on the old without, however, finding the magic of the debut album.

Tricarico's second album 'Frescobaldo Nel Recinto' presents a more played reggae and soul-influenced sound with thoughtful lyrical themes. While it retains the charm of his debut, it lacks some of the originality and magic that made his first album stand out. The album explores personal and allegorical narratives but struggles with repetitiveness. Overall, it is a decent follow-up that foreshadows stylistic changes in his later work. Discover the unique charm of Tricarico's 'Frescobaldo Nel Recinto'—listen now and explore the poetic depth behind this Italian indie gem.

 "’Mr. Clean’ is one of the most beautiful tracks in Millencolin’s entire discography."

 ‘‘Same Old Tunes’ is a diverse, detailed, and well-produced record that doesn’t bore, showing great musicianship and rhythm changes.’

Millencolin's 1994 debut album 'Same Old Tunes' captures the vibrant resurgence of 90s punk rock through a blend of melodic hardcore and ska punk. The review highlights the band's strong musicianship and variety across tracks like 'Mr. Clean' and 'Da Strike.' Despite the album lacking multiple hits, it stands as a solid and well-produced first step for a band that would grow influential in punk circles worldwide. Listen to Millencolin’s ‘Same Old Tunes’ and discover the roots of modern punk energy!

 "It's time to wake up, it's time to change" is a clear signal of awareness.

 Unlike bands that soften album after album, they hold firm.

The Futureheads' third album, This Is Not The World, signals a confident change in direction with stronger melodies and prominent guitar riffs. The band retains their punk roots with broken rhythms and three-part harmonies while delivering energetic and fun tracks like 'Think Tonight' and the title song. Although the album lacks alternative experimentation, it stands firm and engaging. The powerful riffs and gritty vocals are highlights, showing a band comfortable in its own sound. Discover The Futureheads' energetic punk sound—listen to This Is Not The World now!