Posted on December 30, 2009 - by Editor

Album Reviews: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Dead To Me, Mark Lind And The Unloved

Pin Points and Gin Joints
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Big Rig

Well seven years in the waiting and the Boston heroes don’t disappoint in my books at leats. For fans of the band the wait has been painful as the ska-core genre the Bosstones helped invent has seen better days but the return of their first record since “Jacknife to a Swan”,  “Pin Points and Gin Joints” produced by legendary Tedd Hutt (Bouncing Souls, Flogging Molly, Gaslight Anthem etc) with the song writing input of Dickie Barrett and Joe Gittleman has provided a record full of upbeat ska rhythms from a band that is audibly enjoying their own company and music again after the lengthy hiatus.

Dickie is legendary as a front man and live showman, but his vocals are also unique and the cynical, gruff voiced storyteller enjoys telling tales of family, baseball, and blue collar work ethics amongst others to the bands trademark horn fuelled sound. The subject matter is varied, some of the songs insightful and retrospective on the bands past years leaving a less abrasive, more melodic and almost mellowed sound. The sobering lack of aggression is made up for in the content and lyrical themes and are signs of a band that has matured and comfortable in their skins.

Although there have been many ska revivals the more poppy and jester sounds of Reel Big Fish or Less Than Jake rode to the crest of the mid 90s wave but the Bosstones have straddled in the medium with meteoric rises through “Impressions That I Get” which simultaneously could have signalled the beginning of the end. I think the long break has enabled the band to focus on their strengths and rekindle their own interest in the Bosstones sound.

The horns and ska/ quick tempo with the bands usual distorted guitars and Dickie’s natural rough angsty vocals of are all present and although some may accuse the band for a lack of inventiveness on this record or claims of a formulaic approach, I think the record has a great balance and I’m just thankful they are back and will hopefully head on tours outside of the US; otherwise it means I will once more need to dip in the battered bank account for a journey across the shores.

Stand out tracks:
Sister Mary, Death Valley Vipers, Bricklayers Story, Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah, Your Life. (I’m sure this list will change-early days yet!)

African Elephants
Dead To Me
Fat Wreck Chords

I wasn’t too familiar with the band despite the EP release of “Little Brother” last year which I really enjoyed and probably didn’t listen too enough. This record is quite a shift for  the band, notably due to the absence of former singer  Jack Dalyrmple and the input of guitarist Nathan Grice on writing songs and vocally (“Bad Friends” and “Nuthin’ Runnin’ Thru My Brain,”. The vocals are now lead by Chicken but the chemistry despite the changes is spot on and the record is a triumphant collection   for a band in transformation.

It’s a great collection of predominantly rock songs, tinged by dub as in the opening track “X” but the eclectic evolution of the record means themes varying from love, social issues & friendship are covered in variety of rock, post punk and incredibly positive (albeit at times feeling dark)sound like label partners The Loved ones or American Steel or even No Use For A Name?

I can’t emphasise the variety of sound and mood on the record enough, from the songs like “Modern Muse” and “3 Chord Strut” with their stripped-down arrangements, to far more upbeat and poppy “California Sun” or the rousing and faster “Fell Right In”. Chicken says in the bands press release when asked about the sonic diversity of African Elephants that he takes influence from everyone from NOFX to NWA. This record is quickly becoming one of my favourites of the year and I know that fans of the bands first record and even the EP might have to adapt to their change in direction but I am a fan and the promise shown.

Stand out tracks:
A DayWwithout a War, Fell Right In, Cruel world, California  Sun, Tierra del Fuego

Homeward Bound
Mark Lind And The Unloved
Stateline Records

For fans of the Ducky Boys and Mark Lind and The Unloved of the past few years, this is next logical step in the transformation with Brittany Gray now a fully fledged member and her vocals on this record adding diversity to Mark’s recognisable vocal output. The rest of the line-up now reads as Jay Messina on drums and Mike Savitkas on bass and finally with Steve Young on guitar.

This eight track record is not an overly dramatic shift from the previous work of Mark and his bands but that’s not a bad thing; the songs are faster compared to more recent output and there is far more depth in the vocal range, thanks to Brittany and the songs harmonies. It’s also a short record but packs a punch with each song finely tuned and adding to the overall package.

Homeward Bound has built on the foundations and improved in song writing and delivers a fine grassroots punk rock album with guest appearances by Marc Cannata (Far From Finished on “Cold Hearted (Son of a Bitch)-listen for the poppy doo-doo dodo doodah)  and Rob Lind (Marks brother- of Ramallah/Blood for Blood on “No One To Cry To”.)

On songs such as “I’ll Be There” the powerful vocals from Mark with the female spice of Brittany adding depth to the poppy number. “Sad songs” with its bassy riffs (by the very talented Mike Savitkas) is an uplifting track despite its subject and title and the dual vocals again prove effective on this ballad type number.  Truth be told there are no fillers and if you are a fan of any of Marks previous work, this record will be a happy addition to your collection, likewise if you are unfamiliar with them, do yourself a favour and grab yourself a belated Xmas gift.

Stand out tracks:
Sell Your Souls, The World is Fucked, I’ll Be There, Sad Songs