
This is a bunch of believers (B.O.B. - get it?) hooked on ska music and bent on a good time. You'll hear hilarious anecdotes, like the story of a youth group's trip to Mexico in the opening track, where they made a trade: "you get tacos, enchiladas, and tamales for me / and I got some Good News for you . . . Spread the Word, C'mon, let's go / on a mission trip to Mexico!" Another song declares: "I saw pastor dancing / it must be the last days!" These guys are fun. Not too distant from the Five Iron Frenzy sound, especially when the lead vocalist, Billybob, shares his vocal skills. The key ingredient that makes many of today's ska bands enjoyable for me is the competent playing of the "rock band musicians" (ie. guitars, drums, bass), and you'll find some tight and muscle-bound rock riffs here. Like their ska- mates Supertones and Five Iron, many a song (like "I'm Going To Wait") will start off with a metallic, crunchy riff, before the horns kick in with the polka guitar beat. One of the few weak moments would be the cover tune of the Newsboys' "Not Ashamed." The song gets a B-52's female lead vocal treatment, which is kinda novel, but the chorus loses me. Overall, though, this bunch of believers could easily sweep a crowd off its feet. I dig it. \