Ska Favorites of 2009 - Part 1
Another year has passed and with it has come plenty of new ska releases. While I certainly have not listened to all of the mounds of ska unleashed on the public in 2009, what I can do is share with you some of my favorites thus far. These are the sounds that have been on heavy rotation on my playlist and continue to keep me entertained into 2010. Hopefully I'll be able to turn you on to some new ska that you may have missed and maybe some of you can offer me recommendations as well.
Just click through to start reading the first part of my list of favorite ska releases of 2009.
The Aggrolites - IV
Following a mediocre third album, the Aggrolites return (albeit with a slimmed down lineup) for a solid fourth outing. The quality is back and it shows quite a bit of growth. It's still the funk, dirty reggae that we know and love. However, this time around there is considerably more depth to the songs. The Aggrolites launched the skinhead reggae revival and with IV they reestablish themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
Listen to The Aggrolites on MySpace
Buy the Aggrolites - IV from iTunes
Buy the Aggrolites - IV MP3s from Amazon
Buy the Aggrolites - IV CD from Amazon
Prague Ska Conspiracy - Lies For Everyone
A killer female-fronted ska album and they are giving it away for free! Lies For Everyone is simply feel-good music and it is quite infectious. If you like it, I highly recommend that you buy a CD copy which has been issued by Grover Records so that you can help keep the great ska coming. Contribute or don't. Either way, you'll have a ton of fun listening to this album over and over again.
Listen to Prague Ska Conspiracy on MySpace
Buy Prague Ska Conspiracy - Lies For Everyone CD from Amazon
The Drastics vs. Michael Jackson - MJ A Rocker
You really can't lose with a collision of these two mighty forces. These six reggae-fied Jackson tunes spanning across his career are insanely catchy. Granted much of this can be contributed to the strong source material, but the Drastics add a fun spin. You will be impressed with how some of your favorites translate. The whole album can be previewed for free right here. You can buy it on LP.
Listen to The Drastics on MySpace
Channel One - Pose & Posture
Ska meets country on this first outing from San Antonio's Channel One. The combination works remarkably well with the end result being an album with broad appeal beyond the ska faithful. It is a refreshing change of pace and packed with fun narratives. Picking a favorite among them is no easy task. If you are looking for something a little different, Channel One is certainly worth a listen.
Listen to Channel One on MySpace
Buy Channel One - Pose & Posture from iTunes
Buy Channel One - Pose & Posture MP3s from Amazon
Buy Channel One - Pose & Posture CD from Amazon
Madness - The Liberty of Norton Folgate
This is the reunion album that we have been anxiously awaiting. After a somewhat lackluster reunion album in 1999 followed by a cover album, we finally have Madness back in full effect. They are quite proud of this album (rightfully so) and it shows in the depth that they have allowed fans to explore it. Beyond the standard release, there is an edition which includes a DVD with a concert film, and a 3-disc ultimate edition (expanded 2-disc version of the album along with a disc of demos and live recordings). Fans may just be in for the best album of Madness' career to date.
Listen to Madness on MySpace
Buy Madness - The Liberty of Norton Folgate from iTunes
Buy Madness - The Liberty of Norton Folgate MP3s from Amazon
Buy Madness - The Liberty of Norton Folgate CD from Amazon
Part 2 will follow soon!
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