The 10 Best Ska-Core/Ska albums

here it is, i break down the best albums in what is probably the most listened genre in my house. Whether you like that Classic 2nd wave vibe; or for the ones that enjoy that ROAR of the horn setting off an unrivaled pit, in the process you end up breaking your nose, this one is for you. These are my favorite Ska albums

10. SLAPSTICK - self titled

Now some will probably feel this one should be way up there on the list, but unfortunately i arrived to this party late, i only came across this masterpiece about 3 years ago, and its really good. But since i didnt have it back in the day, the connection was never made.

The energy would set the tone for Ska in the years after.  Taking that crazy 90's punk sound and throwing in some horns is normally a mediocre affair, but this one seems to do it in a way that its almost like a signal to everyone else that i can be done. Not only done, but done to perfection.

Normally in these albums like this the musicality runs thin, and the songs start to run together. and guess what, it still does in this one. the horn themes do vaguely sound familiar throughout the record, making you think some songs are others, but it doesn't matter outside that because once you put the record on you cant stop it halfway. With this one, i welcomed the upstrokes into every mentality of Ska perfection, but perfection is subjective because this is only number ten.


9. Streetlight manifesto - Somewhere in Between

Its appropriate to add the band that is almost single handedly bring Ska back into play. This choice isnt really about how great the record it is, its fantastic dont get me wrong, but this is more about respect. Streetlight Manifesto is band where everyone can enjoy, the metal heads, stupid All Time Low girls, the Oi Douche bags, and the Ska Assholes like myself.

The Album doesnt Stop, you pop it in and you hear the opening to "We Will fall Together," you want to sit through just to see what will  happen next. Every song on here is really good on its own, if you sit through all of them you'll play it again in case you missed anything. You just want to it to keep going, which their previous release didnt have that feeling with me. All the people ive made listen to this record have all had an individual favorite, so there is no BEST song on it, which should really say how good it is.

And the best part of the entire thing...All the energy, and emotion behind every one of these songs, is duplicated in their live show. And everyone goes absolute nuts during the performance. this type of energy in any kind of music is lost nowadays, and to stumble upon this you'll know what i mean, its exhausting to listen too.

8. Big D and the Kids Table - How it Goes

Some say Fluent in Stroll, others say Strictly rude, i say How it Goes, and ill tell you why.  This one is a big one for me. I never thought my hatred towards snobby kids could be ever put into music, but even without the song that is completely about how snobby kids suck, this record puts it out there and breaks it down for you. Its so energetic, vulgar, and just an all around good time. Sure its not the most well loved ska album out there, but once you acquire the taste for this, or any of the big D albums you wont be able to put them down.

Making this music in the year it came out must have been a real challenge, this was that 90's poppy ska, with a little Awesome thrown in of course, in the good year of 2004. i think one of the songs got a little play time on the radio actually, but really who is going to remember that? The album is also pretty funny, its got these weird samples from im guessing from some talk show. Big D and the kids table, really puts it together on this one, "LAX" and "Little Bitch" are just worth the album on their own, laying down a tone and feel that the rest of your day will feel weird because you'll just start getting a deep urge to punch everyone in the face. That aside, this one is a must for anyone, i mean anyone remotely interested in the genre.

7. Choking Victim - No Gods, No Managers

There seems to be a little bit of a modern dispute of equality nowadays, some might not even pay attention enough, but really its like everyone thinks their being stepped on. This album here really shows about equality, because its really just hating on everything like Religion, Government, Racism, minorities, majorities. just no one is safe in the eyes of Choking Victim. Aside from the occasional verbal breakdown of something obscure to do with politics, the music is chock full of too much energy, that if you listen to this in the car you start to speed up to a dangerous level. I guess Creating a name for the type of music they play, they call themselves "Crack Rock Steady" which would be named after a song on the album.

Now this collection really has a soft spot with me, mainly for getting kicked out of our highschool talent show because apparently "5-Finger Discount" was an inappropriate song. So many classics on this album that you and your friends will be singing along to "500 channels" "5-finger Discount" "in my grave" and "crack rock steady" until you pass out from the great time you're having. Now the band unfortunetly isnt around anymore, but you can catch the equally good "Leftover Crack" or "Star Fucking Hipsters" around if the wind is just right.

6. Lightyear - Chris Gentleman's Hairdresser and Railway Bookshop

I love it when British people give a shit about American politics, and thats what this album is doing for a little bit.  This one is super duper politically fueled unlike MOST of of my previous entries, but welcome all the same. This one has a few songs that just are so catchy you'll be singing them all the time until someone hits you on the head. "Life Jacket Water Wings," i have to say is my favorite track on the album, bringing up most of everything ive ever wanted in a Ska song, An Agenda thats never going to be accomplished, a catchy horn theme, and lyrics that roll off the tongue like grandma's butterscotch. There isnt much else to say about this one, but be ready, strap in, and hold on because this one is the shit.

5. Catch22 - Keasbey nights

Now ive talked about this album before, and if you're reading this you probably already know about this one.  Bands cover songs off of it, streetlight manifesto (see #9) remade it, it cannot be properly duplicated.  Theres no doubt this is probably one of the more influential on the list, i mean, it has really changed everything about the genre.

The energy in this album, along with all the others because its an important part of the genre, doesnt end.  "Dear Sergio," still in my opinion one of the catchiest openers in any album ever. Even though, this is one of those that you'll adore every song on here; From the horn theme of The title track, to the tear building chorus to "Supernothing" this is an album, not just for ska lover, but for everyone.
        Side note, anyone ever notice the album is a total copy of a Scrapy album, or at least they are very               similar.

4. MU330 - Chumps on Parade

MU330 is one of those everyone should know, but i get the impression that not a lot do. Then i realize everyone does know of MU330, because they are Ska, everything about them is drenched in ska. They have it all, complicated horn themes, humorous lyrics, roaring solos, a social commentary on something nobody cares about.  What happens here, doesnt stay on Chumps on Parade, because its picked up by every 90's pop-crazy ska band. Whether anyone acknowledges it, MU330 is totally one of the, if not the most important release of 1997, even though that was the golden age of the genre. the best track on the album is hard to say, but i think the one i am always on the edge of me seat waiting for is "The Punisher, Downtown"

"When we play down town, we never pay the tax. We'd rather go to 

jail than to pay those dirty rats."

Along with the theme of the song, it will totally be stuck in your head all day, which reminds me, dont listen to these all in one day you wont have the experience.

3. Link 80 - Killing Katie.

This one is a little on the fence probably for most everyone, its one of those thats really hit or miss. and with me this was a good one, a REALLY good one. to this day if you asked for a song to define Ska-core, i would say "kind of..." by Link 80, it wraps up the whole genre in a nicely straight nasty bundle. As you will never be the same the first "Pick it up!" on the album, and you will forever be in love with this piece, at least thats how i felt when i was 9 years old.  Its got the right amount of Horn mixed with the perfect amount of 80's hardcore.  Every song gives you a taste of something different, "Packing up" gives you that DIY dirt nasty feel that the genre is trying to portray but can never quite find a way, besides a few exceptions. "kind of..." puts out that a good song doesn't take that much actual work, but can be done with enough feeling.  There is only one problem with this album, Its no where near long enough, you just want more when its done. and unfortunately the band doesn't have too many releases so your taste can only be satisfied by spending way too many hours on the couple that they have. Killing Katie isnt a must have, but its a well deserved acquired taste.


2. Operation Ivy - Energy

This one seems to be a little cliché, because it seems everyone puts this on their list for best Ska album, or even best punk album. Theres a few reasons for that, because its just that good, completely inventing the genre, theres not a lot thats out that can top it. it goes without saying that this deserves a placement on any list like this, even if you are a stupid hipster that goes against majority opinion. Well this one isn't an opinion, its just a fact that Energy is one of the greatest albums to be recorded, ever. and everyone has their favourite to enjoy, mine being "big city" because i just cant get enough of it.


1. Suicide Machines - Destruction by Definition

Its too good, way too good. Its so good i put it above Operation Ivy. Destruction by Definition, takes the genre to a level for me none of the others could.  "New Girl" rivals that of "Dear Sergio" on the extreme amount of build up in an opening track. "Break The Glass" makes you want to pull a heroin bob and punch something, and im not really a violent person, and when music gets that feeling out of me, its obviously doing something right.  I can make my Hot-Topic-Core friends listen to this and they get a real kick out of it, and they like that shitty Peirce the Veil stuff. And why? because the organ in "No Face" can put a smile on anyones face, "hey" can make anyone want to get into a pit, because "Islands" makes you want to get out of the bed in the morning. Every song, Every one of them stands out on its own as a good song, but together they feed off each other that just make you come back for more. If anybody gets anything out of this, its pick up this album, and the others, but this is a priority because its top of the pop's. 

2 Things about June 2012

The First thing about this month, is we have just had some great weather. i mean 105 Degrees AND my town sets on fire, i live in colorado springs and it has not been fun.

The second is that it has been a good month(season) for those 90's rock bands we have all loved since we were young. The Offspring have been releasing some songs off their new record. But lets be honest, i dont even like the offspring that much. What really mattered to me was The New Everclear Record "Invisible stars", and The New LIT "The View from the bottom" album. Smashing pumpkins released a big one, "Ocean" And maybe the new Eve 6 if you were into that kind of thing (just kidding eve 6 is good too).

Now we cant really take my opinion on every one of these records, because they are hitting the spectrum of 30 different genres all at once. and unfortunetly i am no magician so i cant really tell whats good to the die hard fans, and what isnt. But ill try my best

The New Eve6 album, "Speak in Code"  was way to poppy for me, it almost seemed like it was too aimed at getting everyone to dance to it. I mean i just wanna sit back and listen to eve6, or pop it in the cd player on the way to work. Not get up and move, who do they think i am? but, that aside, it was a descent listen and id take a gander at it.

The new lit album here it is...its mediocre. Lit may really only be known for a few songs, but in all honesty this doesnt really had any for me, accept for really one the last track on the album, "right This time" something about that track made it worth it for me. Given, im not a huge lit fan, i just know a few tracks out of everything they've done. and of course, this may sound like i have a negative opinion of this, but im reviewing these because these are really the best things thats been released since the summer began, or they are kind of related to the best things released(because the next one on this was terrible). So take this one, its good but, its good more together as an album, instead of the ol' "Oh track 7 is fantastic" you have to sit down and listen to it all at once.

Hated it

Everclear was MY band, back in the day. by that i mean, every song i ever heard by them i enjoyed enough to buy the albums, and really just get a feel for the band.  Now some of the more latter releases have made me want to throw up i was so thoroughly disappointed. But this one, this one has redeemed all the others. I like it so much, ive sat through it probably five times by the time i wrote this.  It has that classic everclear feel, and then some more energy just out of left field. I bet you think that everclear is one of those thats just like "oh they are getting old, they lost it long ago" well they arnt that old for starters, and they are back and better than ever with "invisible Stars"

Some great Punky clothes

Now normally i dont like to Advertise anything. But i have been recently been purchasing some high end clothes to get rid of the same ratty washed out, faded stuff ive been wearing for years. So ive found a few websites that may help anyone out there thats also looking to do the same thing.

Etsy.com
this one is ALL DIY stuff, everything on it pretty much is hand made, cant get any more home made than that.

SOURPUSS CLOTHING
http://sourpussclothing.blogspot.com
http://sourpussclothing.com/

now this one is great, but i know what youre thinking. "ITS REALLY EXPENSEIVE" but heres the deal, you arnt buying that run of the mill T shirt you get at the Abcrappy or Holishit. Everything on the website is very high end stuff, i bought a couple shirts and a dress off of it a while ago, and they are still like new. And they all look fantastic.

Alot of it is kind of that crossover Mod/Pin-up style fashion, but hey its actually not that hard to pull off, if you are looking for something new i highly, Highly, Recommend Sourpuss Clothing. and dont worry, its not always expensive, sometimes you'll catch a good deal, and they'll throw in something free too. Like a Wallet, or key chain. You'll be sure to fit in at the next Mustard Plug show for sure, i know i did.


Johnny Cupcakes
http://shop.johnnycupcakes.com/shop/

Now for a final cut i have this fore you. Johnny cupcakes is literally the best quality item of clothing ive ever had, but there is a reason, its essentially like hand made.  They are great, especially if you really like baking puns on everything you own, or classic nickelodeon references.

Now i dont know too much of the background of the people that are making this, but ive been told they only make a certain ammount of each design of t-shirts, so POUNCE on one you like right away. You wont regret it, and its like you have your own personal shirt made just for you and 200 other people. Head over to Johnny C's and get you a shirt, you really wont regret it.

Warped Tour 2012

So i Hit warped tour this year, first time in a long time. Aside from probably ruining my pretty face with a wicked sun burn, id have to say it was worth it.  I looked at the Bands playing, and have been looking at them for months in advance i thought there wasnt going to be alot of them i wanted to see. and i was right, there wasnt probably more than 4 i really wanted to see. I brought a friend with me, he is really into those Sudo Hot-Topic-core bands, like After the Burial and Born of Osiris, who were both on the tour.  I on the other hand went to see Streetlight manifesto, and all those mediocre pop punk bands i loved as a kid like New Found Glory and Yellow card.

I am not normally one thats big on moshing, mainly because i was beaten sensless in a guttermouth pit once, but at warped tour its different because no one there is really intense about moshing. its not a bad brains, agnostic front, or hatebreed by any means. its mostly metrosexual scene kids that think their tough because they bought a pierce the veil jersey. so the moshing this year was fun, at least at the shows i was at, really because it wasnt moshing at all, family fun pits.

The shows to see id really have to say, and not to be bias are Streetlight manifesto and Born of Osiris. Both of which were not really mainstage performances. Streetlight manifesto was like the first band to play, and really after that i felt i had gotten my tickets worth just from the one band. I have been waiting to see them for a while now, i really wish it wasnt on warped tour. they had such little time to play, but really made it a great production with what time they had. Born of Osiris, was really a bonus, i have never been to see anyone were only 20 people showed up and it felt like 3000 were there. So much energy, and musicianship on stage, unlike anything i expected because i was dragged there by my friend. The best part about that is im not even into metal all that much, and i really enjoyed them.

And thats just some words to take in when getting to warped tour this year

The Other F Word (Movie 2011)

On a Recent Documentary purge which i tend to do this time of year, i stumbled across this. The Other F word is of course on of those documentaries that's information really only matters to those who seek it, its Not a movie for the Public to watch but for those who wish to dive deeper into the life of their punk rock heroes' lives.

The Main idea of the film is to show how being a "teenage Anarchist" effects the lives of the rockers, skaters, singers, guitarists, freaks, and crazies after they grow up and might have a little responsibility of their own, as in most of them have families and kids now.  Featuring a ton of people you should know about: Jim Lindberg, Art Alexakis, Flea, Tony Adolescent, Fat Mike, and a lot more. Centering around Jim Lindberg's tour with Pennywise, it really breaks down the life of being on tour with a worldy popular punk band, its not what you expect. I mean, you'd figure the guys in the band would be still having a blast and sleeping on floor of a ratty old van. No its more of the guys are clocking in' day in day out to just get the show done, and are generally sick of each other in the band. And how the songs they sing, just make them want to throw up they are so done with them.

Featuring also some pro extreme sports athletes, like Tony hawk and them. They, which related pretty closely to the punk scene, also have it hard. Trying to keep a family together while still being a "birthday Clown" to all the kids that want to see them do their favourite trick, or sing their all time favourite song, just to make ends meet.

Seeing this really shows the shitty life some of these guys have to go through. Guys that really have contributed to society by pissing off everyone, so evidently not contributing at all. Singers that get hammered before each show, now having to deal with kids of their own.  As ive noticed some of my favorite old bands have kind of closed down, and opened the doors for new meat. This movie really shows why, That being an Authoritarian figure for a family of 4, while still trying to stick it to the man and say "fuck the world" is one trial that all of these guys are going through.  It really opens your eyes, for me the big one was that i am not a big blink 182 fan, but watching the guy in this film made me at least respect him a little more than i did before.

As coming from someone writing a blog that means nothing, and really just is added to when im bored, i highly recamend this film to anyone even remotely a fan of the Punk scene.

Bouncing Souls: Comet

Now im not the biggest Bouncing Souls fan. Given, i liked Ghosts on the Boardwalk, and The Gold Record, So i know a little bit how they go about things. Comet their Newest work, isnt bad. Since i dont follow the hype or anticipation behind the band i just saw it was new, i dont know how long it was waited for, or if everyone was waiting on the edge of their seat for it. But if it was i would say it falls in the same line as Exister by Hot water music did last month.

Its a very welcome addition to my library, i very much enjoyed it. Certain things really get to me though, following a theme of some similar artists the album has a much darker sound compared to previous installments.  the Track "static" seems to get me the most, for some reason it just seemed unexpected for me to hear this kind of tone on a Bouncing Souls record, Very well done though, its not out of place and it seems to hit all the right keys and set the atmosphere for the rest of the album.

Aside from being a tad darker, at least in my opinion. The album is one that doesnt disapoint on my opinion of the Bouncing Souls, usually bands that have had such an impression on music have a ton to live up to, and if they fuck it up slightly you'll hear about it. The Album is good, and makes me actually want to go back and listen to all the old stuff by BS's, if you have the opertunity please check out Comet.

Dan Andriano And the Emergency Room

Dan Andriano in the Emergency in the Room is one of Punk guys kinda going solo. Other artists did it like Tom Gabel, Chuck Ragan, Chris Wallord, Scott Klopfenstein, and many others. They are all really good, and as much as i love The duo from Hot Water music. i have to say Dan Andriano from Alkaline Trio has got be my favorite in the last year or so. Dan A. really pulls it through in his work, "Hurricane Season"

A Fairly new album, it came out sometime last year, and i may be behind on my music or at least behind enough to choose to review this now.  If you remember the last few Alkaline trio albums, the Musicality was never the highest selling point, more of the energy in the songs and the meaning of the lyrics.  And all of that proceeds in this solo album.

The Lyrics really get to me, for some reason im a real sucker for getting sentimental with lyrics that use rain as a metaphor.  The real theme of the lyrics seems to be your typical, "oh the girl left, and she doesnt love me anymore, and i want her back, i need her more than life itself, and on and on and on." really nothing new in terms of topic choosing, but hey i think it still works out.

Now as i mentioned before, the musicality is no intricate master work that needs to be acknowledged by everyone. But i will say it really fits the mood, and sets a very appropriate theme for the entire album.  Subtle piano entries, and synth backgrounds really add to the basic chords so well that you dont even care that you've listened to album 3 times through without noticing, because its simple and repetitive enough that you keep coming back for more.

For those of you really into your Emo/punk but really sick of your stuff for a day or too, or want an album to cheer you up on a day that really just sucks. i recommend Dan Andriano in the Emergency room: Hurricane Season .