Ah yes, I remember when Ska ruled the Christian Rock Radio airwaves and the kids could not get enough of the Supertones, Bunch o' Believers and Detroit's own Ska-Punk rock ensemble the Insyderz. Well folks, The Insyderz are back after a three year hiatus and are ready to rock out with their new Floodgate Records release Soundtrack to a Revolution. Don't pop this CD expecting a major sound change...this is still the same Insyderz you knew and loved. This emphasis here is more on the punk rather than the Ska side of things...but the horns and ska beats are still present, never fear.
Joe Yerke sings/raps with a cookie monster/growling vengeance on several cuts...this vocal styling can be an acquired taste for some, and others will love it. The rest of the band is tight, the horns add a nice touch (while not being over-emphasized), and the guitars have a nice crunch and some memorable riffage. The lyrics emphasize the spiritual struggle/warfare/revolution aspects of the faith-not incredibly original but fitting for the genre.
This CD could have been longer...at the today's prices a CD clocking in at 32 minutes is less than desirable, and some listeners may not enjoy the ska sound (it can sound a tad dated at times). The Insyderz are a youth minister approved band that has fun while rocking and hey, that's not such a bad thing.
3 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis January 2004Reviewed by Luke HarlowAfter a three-year hiatus, The Insyderz are back with another ska record. This one is infused with a heavy dose of straightforward rock, but the trademark Insyderz sound remains (yes, the vocals still sound like a Mighty Mighty Bosstones rip off). Over a four to five year period this band, along with the Supertones and Five Iron Frenzy, were one of the ska bands of choice for evangelical church…The Phantom Tollbooth 2004Reviewed by Olin JenkinsOne of my favorite concerts I've attended is SkaMania '98, with the O.C. Supertones, Five Iron Frenzy, and the Insyderz. It's important to keep these bands in mind when approaching the Insyderz' Soundtrack to a Revolution because these guys are still hard-hitting with ska, with an attitude--a positive type of attitude (making "revolution" a theme for this disc)--which sounds like it derives…The Phantom Tollbooth 2003Reviewed by Len NashThe climax of ska is over, and life goes on. Some may think ska is dead, and some might say ska has never faltered. Yes, ska is presumably "dead," and yes, ska is still alive. The demise of Five Iron Frenzy is sad for all of those Christian ska fans. Don't give up hope though, The Insyderz are now back, after a three year hiatus. Something is on the burner, the front one that is, for all of you…Similar sounding releases
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1999Common RiderLast Wave Rockers
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