What about Bob, you say? Well, Bob (not to be confused with B.O.B. which recently released "It's a Ska, Ska, Ska, Ska World,") is a nifty little ska band from Pennsylvania. And why should you check this album out, you say? Well, I'll tell you why. Just hang tight for the next couple of paragraphs.
The album opens with "Skaco Bell," (Yo Quiero Skaco Bell?) which mixes in some south of the border horn arrangements, hardcore screaming, and upbeat guitar plucking. That already gives a pretty solid idea of the album's merits. Some of you may recall that Bob was one of my favorite tracks on the FrogSka "Skankin' on the Lily Pad" compilation that came out a while ago. That track, "Open Mind" is not on this album, but there's quite a few songs worth mentioning. "Gravity" sports a more old-school ska flavor, and lyrics that go a little something like this: "You are my gravity, you hold me together." The song "Deer!" which is just a random interlude is quite amusing, and treats us to a southern hick accent over a twangy country guitar. "Grow Up" has one of the best intro's, and reminds me of some early Supertones stuff. The last two tunes "Simplicity '99," and "Perfect Love" are very pretty and mellow to listen to. We are encouraged with the closing lyrics "Perfect love drives out fear," to a slow, simple chord progression, and tender harmonies.
All in all, there is a sort of Latin feel to many of these songs, which is something that separates it a little from some of the thousands of ska bands out there, which generally have more of a Caribbean Jamaican reggae feel. Occasionally, I think the timing is a little askew, and there could be some work done to improve the cohesiveness of the band. Withstanding any up or down trends in the ever so fickle music business, hopefully they will have an opportunity to record a follow-up and have a chance to develop their talents even further. Three cows and a glass of milk.
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #79Reviewed by Doug Van PeltAnother Bob (this one not an acronym) have emerged on the ska scene. These entertainers mix the fun of some rap and funk with the horns with some serious lyrics, tackling hate-filled racist co-workers, love lost, and seeing the real person behind the mask. The fun sound and lyrics come together in "Deer!" where the band talks about trying to avoid deer on the road.Decapolis 1999Reviewed by ConradThis is a great example of people who can play their instruments - but too bad what they're playing is so annoying. Sunday School Ska - ouch. All the musicianship involved in these songs, which is considerable at points, doesn't make up for the fact that these songs are about as third grade Sunday School rhymes as you can get. Hey, I don't mind explicit Christian lyrics, but come on, at least be…Decapolis 1999Reviewed by TimThey have a song named "Skaco Bell." Do I really need to say more? It's cliche Christian ska. Move over Supertones, here comes another lousy attempt at replicating the secular market. A Christian version of something in the general market is never as good. The song writing, melodies, guitar riffs, horn riffs, are all cliches. I'll pass. DDecapolis 1999Reviewed by Tom BastianWhat you have here is band kids who know how to play their instruments very well and decided to start a ska band. Kind of bored me to tell you the truth. I think those die hard ska folks will like this one though. The singer has a pretty good voice, that's if you don't focus on the somewhat cheesy lyrics. I guess at times they kind of have an Insyderz meets the W's sound, but at others they just…
