Artist: The Toasters
Album: One More Bullet
Label: Stomp Records / Megalith Records
Purchase: Stomp
Release Date: April 27, 2007
Overall: 8.0
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 6.0
Ska is back and there is no better proponent than icons of the scene, The Toasters! They’ve carved out their own niche in history for the past 25 years showcasing their 2-Tone inspired sound to the world and show no signs of quitting anytime soon with their most recent full length CD One More Bullet (Stomp Records).
Lead by British expatriate Rob “Bucket” Hingley who formed the Toasters in 1982, One More Bullet was recorded in Valencia, Spain at RPM Studios by renowned producer Cubo and engineered by the great Roger Garcia. Featuring eleven huge tracks of trademark Toasters ska, the album also features guest appearances from Greg Robinson (Mephiskapheles), Bufford O’Sullivan (Slackers, Easy Star Allstars), and Claude Robillard (Daze Of Dawn).
One More Bullet starts off strong showcasing the signature sound the Toasters have become famous for with “What a Gwan†an upbeat song about big-brother inspired closed circuit TV security cameras that are becoming more abundant in urban society, even going so far to claim that “we are all living in 1984â€. The album features a nice mix of reggae-tinged ska on tracks such as “Where’s the Freedomâ€, “Life In A Bubbleâ€, “Run Rudy Run Reduxâ€, and “Bits and Pieces†that feature Jamaican-style vocals sung by bassist Jason Nwagbaroacha. The album continues to wind through a mix of traditional ska and reggae stylings and ends just as strong as it started with “El Chopo†and the unique “Blues Bros. Outro…†an ode and dedication of ska-reformed blues inspired from “The Blues Brothersâ€.
Overall the album is catchy and upbeat with a handful of tunes that will make even those who don’t necessarily like ska want to dance. One More Bullet is proof positive that North America’s longest running ska band can kick out the jams like no other. It’s no wonder why the band has been branded as the “Miles Davis of Ska†and the “Ramones of Ska†alike. Here’s to another 25 years!
Track Listing
1. What A Gwan
2. Night Train To Moscow
3. Where’s The Freedom?
4. Life In A Bubble
5. Run Rudy Run Redux
6. You’re Gonna Pay
7. Bits And Pieces
8. When Will I Be Loved
9. One More Bullet
10. Step Up
11. El Chopo
12. Blues Bros Outro…
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