Project Description

THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES

‘While We’re At It’

(Album Review)

Reviewer: Vicky Hebbs

.

.

.

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones exploded on the ska music scene in the ‘90s with a unique sound that crossed ska with hardcore punk. Thirty years later, this release is the culmination of not just the last few years hard work producing the record, but of three decades of touring, recording, and a brief four year hiatus from 2003 to 2007. Frontman Dicky Barrett offers up the same throaty, rough around the edges vocals best remembered by the world from 1997 smash hit The Impression That I Get from their certified platinum album, Let’s Face It.

Green Bay, Wisconsin is an explosive start to the album, showcasing Barrett’s lyrical qualities, a talented brass section and a ska beat, all of which are a taste of the songs to follow. The talking-style lyrics and guitar riff also remind me of their older songs I haven’t heard in a long time, like Someday I Suppose. The song ends with a hearty chuckle that signals the fun has begun.

The Constant starts with a rising guitar intro. The anticipatory style intro reminds me immediately of that iconic lead into to The Who’s Wont Be Fooled Again, but the song quickly moves away from that similarity, into a slow-burning song about the ticking clock of life.

Wonderful Day for the Race makes for oddly nostalgic listening. The song is characterised by an uplifting, energised chorus before around two and half minutes in the ante is upped with a slight pause before some explosive guitar and then the chorus and brass instruments start up again. The lyrics celebrate humanity; it feels like a more positive spin on the theme in Constant, celebrating rather than lamenting the uncertainties of life.

.

.

Track Unified is a slow tune with reggae notes and twanging brass, while Divide starts with a drumbeat and features guitar with lingering sing-along lyrics. For some reason, the backing singing reminds me a little of a slow number by ska greats The Specials that I cannot quite remember, and although Barrett sings “This is only a song,” you cannot help but feel the lyrics may be some kind of commentary about the complexities of the world today.

Closer to Nowhere is a classic frenzied ska tune. The chorus is addictive and the lingering saxophone adds body so the energy doesn’t rely solely on the drums. A momentarily slower bridge to the song makes it all the more satisfying when the beat speeds up again, with Barrett making a “chh chh” sound I really liked.

Walked Like a Ghost has a tropical vibe, and a chilled feel that contrasts the slightly depressing lyrics. There’s a twinkling piano decrescendo and swinging brass notes.

The West Ends is carried by Barrett’s vocals and a constant ska beat. I may or may not have done some seriously crazy dancing listening to this song, or ‘skanking’ as it is known in the ska world.

.

.

The party continues with Here We Are. The vocals on this one are very strong, as Barrett’s voice carries on the much longer phrasing in this song. The lyrics insist that “something needs to be done” and laments the rough journey that has led to the place they are in. There is some deliciously moody saxophone here, too, which as a big sax fan, I really appreciated.

The Mad Dash is a slower tune than the title would suggest, before Absolutely Wrong, a darker though still fast-paced number. In Honor Of takes it up a notch with rhyming vocals and an even faster beat. After The Music Is Over starts off more jazzy than most of the other tracks, with a tripping piano beat combined with zinging saxophone and a lower pitch bluesy line. Then the song slows right down and Barrett repeats the track’s title in a lilting chant, before the familiar constant beat is back to remind you this is a true ska-punk album.

Their songs have a consistent beat that makes you dance, lyrics that make you think and iconic vocals that are as memorable now as they have ever been.

.

Connect with

THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube – Website – Spotify

.