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<B>Bosstones transcend ska genre</B><P>
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<FONT SIZE=4><B>By Jason Feldmann</B><BR></FONT>Contributing Critic
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Let's face it, the new Bosstones album is a success. With their sixth effort, the eight-member band from (yep, you guessed it) Boston has proven once again that they know how to play ska.<P>
The originators of ska core have been together for almost 10 years now and still continue to produce quality albums. Their newest, Let's Face It, is no exception.The new album combines a mixture of their standard ska-core (heavy, punk-influenced guitars with growling lyrics and power horn lines) with more traditional ska qualities such as slower lyrics and reggae style rhythms. Songs range from classic Bosstones material like "Desensitized" and "That Bug Bit Me," to slower, more reggae-influenced tracks such as "Royal Oil."
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The latest album is by far the Bosstones' most radio-friendly. Songs like "The Rascal King" and "The Impression That I Get" make it obvious why the band recently played "The Conan O'Brien Show" and is getting considerable public attention.
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"Impression," the first single off the album, is perfect for radio play. It has a certain pop quality that succeeds both in pleasing old Bosstones' fans and in drawing new fans into the ska realm.
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The listener is tempted to sing along during the chorus line: "I've never had to knock on wood/ But I know someone who has/ Which makes me wonder if I could."
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This is the hidden success of the album. Like any good ska album, the Bosstones hit their listeners in the face with music that brings them to the edge of dancing.
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The vocal range demonstrated by frontman Dickey Barrett is what separates this album from previous. On older albums he often limits himself to growling out lyrics.
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On Let's Face It, Barrett breaks the tradition and shows his true vocal range. This is exemplified on one of the best songs on the album, "Another Drinkin' Song."
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From beginning to end, the new album proves to be the Bosstones' most musically talented to date. The variety of the latest album shows that the Boston bunch has outgrown its label as a ska-core band.
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They don't just play good ska music; they play good music - whatever label you want to give it.
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