SpenniesThe Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Don't Know How to Party
June 22nd 2006 04:00
THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES
Don't Know How To Party (1993)
Polygram Records
Produced by Tony Platt
Link to amazon for purchasing and audio samples
This is the Mighty Mighty Bosstones 3rd release, and being one of the originators of the 90's phenomenon of ska-punk, had by this stage built upon their sound which was slowly becoming more popular. The Bosstones on this record played more rocky metal than 3rd wave ska - although they mix in reggae, punk rock, ska and blaring tight horns rounded out by the awesomely gruff voice of Dicky Barrett (who previously sung for 80's hardcore band 'Impact Unit' and always maintained the rough edge to his vocals). People are definitely more familiar with the bands huge release Let's Face It, and the single "The Impression That I Get" (or according to internet p2p programs, "Knock on Wood") - but I think their earlier material is really killer. It's exciting and fun, it shows the scope of the band and what they were capable of back then, and most importantly contains some excellent songs.
Of course, if you never liked ska or ska-punk then you'll most likely hate this record. However, if you are partial to some of the better sounds to come from this 'movement' (granted, most ska-punk bands from the 90's were terrible), you'll probably already be familiar with this, or really enjoy it.
One of the things I have noticed while listening to the album, is while they definitely have a mish-mash of different genres - they don't necessarily mix it up within that specific sound. What I'm trying to say is; a lot of the ska sounds very similar, and the metal riffs and songs are much the same. I guess what this means that the songs can sound quite repetitive until you become more familiar with them. This is probably the reason why when I first bought the record, it was shelved for some time before I pulled it back out and realised what I'd been missing.
Don't Know How To Party is littered with catchy tunes, anthemic chorus' and great riffs and melodies. It's all pretty darn upbeat - the opener "Our Only Weapon" testament to this. It's just totally rocking Bosstones at their best and it sticks in your head. There is a bit more of a reggae feel on the next few tracks, although it has the whole slow verse/big chorus thing happening. It's lucky they know how to write good songs, as this approach can come off as a little overdone sometimes.
I think my favourites on this album would be the brilliant "Holy Smoke" which is just one of those songs you can always listen to and enjoy - it puts a smile on my face and I think if music does that to you, then it's achieved something. It's ska and punk and riff-laden and just tops. Other songs that I really love include "Our Only Weapon" and "Don't Know How To Party". Basically I can't really fault the album, it's great fun and shows the original guys doing what they did best and helping to create something new along the way. It might sound commonplace these days, but remember back then in 1993 mixing ska with metal was a mostly unheard of occurance. Good on them for being innovators.
Don't Know How To Party (1993)
Polygram Records
Produced by Tony Platt
Link to amazon for purchasing and audio samples
Of course, if you never liked ska or ska-punk then you'll most likely hate this record. However, if you are partial to some of the better sounds to come from this 'movement' (granted, most ska-punk bands from the 90's were terrible), you'll probably already be familiar with this, or really enjoy it.
The Bosstones used to adopt the strange look of plaid with shorts
One of the things I have noticed while listening to the album, is while they definitely have a mish-mash of different genres - they don't necessarily mix it up within that specific sound. What I'm trying to say is; a lot of the ska sounds very similar, and the metal riffs and songs are much the same. I guess what this means that the songs can sound quite repetitive until you become more familiar with them. This is probably the reason why when I first bought the record, it was shelved for some time before I pulled it back out and realised what I'd been missing.
Don't Know How To Party is littered with catchy tunes, anthemic chorus' and great riffs and melodies. It's all pretty darn upbeat - the opener "Our Only Weapon" testament to this. It's just totally rocking Bosstones at their best and it sticks in your head. There is a bit more of a reggae feel on the next few tracks, although it has the whole slow verse/big chorus thing happening. It's lucky they know how to write good songs, as this approach can come off as a little overdone sometimes.
I think my favourites on this album would be the brilliant "Holy Smoke" which is just one of those songs you can always listen to and enjoy - it puts a smile on my face and I think if music does that to you, then it's achieved something. It's ska and punk and riff-laden and just tops. Other songs that I really love include "Our Only Weapon" and "Don't Know How To Party". Basically I can't really fault the album, it's great fun and shows the original guys doing what they did best and helping to create something new along the way. It might sound commonplace these days, but remember back then in 1993 mixing ska with metal was a mostly unheard of occurance. Good on them for being innovators.
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