CD-Charts Position 81
Average Rating:

Hello Rockview

CD-Charts > Music > Ska
by: Less Than Jake

Release Date October 06, 1998
I've just recently gotten into this band and I have to say they are awesome! Hello Rockview is a great album that's fast, upbeat, and just overall really fun to listen to from beginning to end. Some standout tracks include "History of a Boring Town", "Scott Farcas Takes It on the Chin", and "All My Best Friends are Metalheads."

Being a ska fan, I really enjoyed the ska-punk sound of this album, and it's easily my favorite Less Than Jake album I've heard so far (my first cd was Anthem, which is also very good, but definitely lacking in ska). If you are new to LTJ, I would recommend buying this album first, along with Losing Streak, as it demonstrates the band at their best.

(Also, if you are a Less Than Jake fan ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 82
Average Rating:

Why Do They Rock So Hard?

CD-Charts > Music > Ska
by: Reel Big Fish

Release Date October 23, 2001
First off, Reel Big Fish is a punk ska band. Ska music in general has guitar structure that is usually quick, clean and palm muted for a quick cut of sound. Ska also features trumpets, trombones or other brass instrumentation. That being said reel big fish is a very catchy and fast paced band that features very catchy pop punk songs with ska influences throughout.

This CD in particular is poppier than some other Reel Big Fish material however it is still catchy as can be. A downside to this CD is that some of the things that are intended to be funny can come across as somewhat lame and over produced.

The first half of the CD is probably the best and most catchy with songs like "Somebody Hates Me" (10/10) "She's Famous ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 83
Average Rating:

Slightly Stoopid - Live In San Diego

CD-Charts > Music > Ska
starring: Slightly Stoopid

Release Date June 27, 2006
The production on this DVD, akin to Slightly Stoopid's last two audio albums recording in studio, is very slick. Nice disolves from shot to shot, excellent camera angles and great audio for a live performance. The transfer to film makes the presentation look all the more professional and tightly pieced together. The price can't be beat either. However, being that I've seen this band live three different times, there is something about this film recording of the band that loses the energy and dynamic of the band during a live performance. Anyone that has seen Slightly Stoopid live knows there's a kinetic energy in the audience at any club where they perform. That simply is not conveyed in the film for whatever reason (can it be conveyed at all?). And there ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 84
Average Rating:

Ska Is Dead

CD-Charts > Music > Ska
by: Various Artists

Release Date July 10, 2007
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 ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 85
Average Rating:

Redlight

CD-Charts > Music > Ska
by: The Slackers

Release Date October 14, 1997
There are some attempts of great ska albums out there and many fall short. This my friend does what I wish all Ska albums would do which is make me want to skank, laugh, and drink all at one time. Seriously The Slackers have always put out good albums but this is really one of there finest.
All songs are 5 star*.

CD-Charts Position 86
Average Rating:

All the Hype That Money Can Buy

CD-Charts > Music > Ska
by: Five Iron Frenzy

Release Date April 25, 2000
Before listening to "All The Hype" all I'd ever heard of FIF was 'When I Go Out' and the Pants rock opera from Quantity is Job 1. I checked All The Hype out on a whim and absolutely fell in love with the band through it all.

While some may argue that the songwriting on All The Hype is a patchwork at best, if you look at Five Iron's other albums, it's easy to see that All The Hype does reflect and influence their other albums. For instance -- the odd recording style of "Giants" parallels FIF2: Electric Boogaloo's "Vultures". "The Phantom Mullet" continues Five Iron's quest for all-around 'fun' songs, following in the footsteps of "Blue Comb '78"and, of course, the Pants rock opera. "World Without End" echoes the uplifting feel of "Every New Day". And ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 87
Average Rating:

Golden State of Mind

CD-Charts > Music > Ska
by: OPM

Release Date September 02, 2008
Need to give this one at least 3 spins before you go thumbs up or down.

This one takes off where California Poppy left. It is a further departure from their early pop sounds. It is kind of a psychedelic, laid-back reggae 'ized' Cali rip-hop with ska and punk overtones --- exotic stuff and you know how exotics are you will either love it or it will just confuse you. I like it more after every spin. Big-B is all over this one and is tight as usual. I like the fact that OPM is blazin' enough to experiment in a world of spineless corporate radio-heads.

CD-Charts Position 88
Average Rating:

The Best of Sugar Ray

CD-Charts > Music > Ska
by: Sugar Ray

Release Date June 21, 2005
There was a lot of good rock music in the '90s. Unfortunately, Sugar Ray does not qualify as such, despite the fact that they were blown to massive proportions and had loads of really big, really annoying hits. You remember them - "Fly," "When It's Over," "Someday," "Answer the Phone," "Every Morning," "Falls Apart," "Under the Sun" - lighthearted, bouncy pop songs with no real substance behind them (or, in the case of "Someday," a downbeat, contemplative ballad with no substance behind it). Now, everyone likes a good pop song, me included. But the genre they fall into is already overcrowded by bands that aren't really any good, and Sugar Ray falls somewhere in between Smash Mouth (excessively annoying, almost to the point where it seems intentional) and Third Eye ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 89
Average Rating:

Transitions

CD-Charts > Music > Ska
by: Westbound Train

Release Date September 26, 2006
Westbound train are a talented Ska group out of Boston. They are tight musicians who boast a strong horn section and a great lead singer. His voice is reminiscent of Sam Cooke's, and yes i realize what a big compliment that is and would not issue it lightly. If you enjoy reggae/ska this record is a must.

CD-Charts Position 90
Average Rating:

Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free

CD-Charts > Music > Ska
by: Reel Big Fish

Release Date July 10, 2007
If this was another ska band (or whatever style you want to call RBF's partying evolution) this would probably be a four or even five star album. But its not just any other band. I have really liked all of RBF's previous full length records, and their live CD is incredible too. But this... sounds like a retread to me.

Aaron Barrett and the rest of the Fish may be happier on their indie label, but their songwriting has never been duller. Oh look! another drinking song! Another song where they drop the F-bomb over and over in the chorus. Its going from a consistent formula to just checking things off the "album to-do" list.

While some people find "Party Down" and it's little style-riffs inventive, I'm sorry but it reeks of doing the same ... Read More: