Listen to the majority of ‘Pin Points and Gin Joints’ here.
I was going to post a review of Titus Andronicus’s new album, but because the tag-line for this blog is what I like about rock n’ roll, I decided to ditch it. Instead, I came across the new(ish) Mighty Mighty Bosstones album, ‘Pin Points and Gin Joints.’ Here’s a brief history of the band:
They’ve been around for the better part of the last 20 years, mostly as an underground sensation creditted to piloting the ska-core movement. In the mid 90’s they acheived international success when their song ‘The Impression That I Get’ was featured in some Hollywood blockbuster. The succeeding albums were more or less absent from the mainstream but The Bosstones never lost their cult following. ‘Pin Points and Gin Joints’ is the Bosstones’s return to the scene after a seven year absence but the fresh sound of these 14 songs would make you think we’re about to be let out for summer vacation ‘95.
Similar to Fu Manchu and AC/DC, The Bosstones can write the same thing over and over and over again and it’ll always sound fresh. For those unfamiliar with ska music their songs could fall victim to the ‘they all sound the same’ cry, but take a moment to absorb the unique characterists of the Bosstones. A few things will rise to the surface - Dicky Barrett’s delivery of sing-along choruses (and verses) are much more infectious than one would expect by someone with a voice that sounds like gravel is lining the throat. Katz’s guitar work is nothing special, but its enough to warrant uninhibited behavior during a show. In the back somewhere, blasting horns that rival those of Reel Big Fish can be heard and the rhythm section is spot on.
‘Pin Points and Gin Joints’ is full of highlights. ‘Graffitti Worth Reading,’ ‘You Left Right?’ ‘I Wrote It,’ ‘Death Valley Vipers’ and ‘A Pretty Sad Excuse’ are great songs for pogoing, drinking, and skanking. The rest of the album holds a solid groove, hardly ever slowing down so you can catch your breath.
Back in 1993, these Boston natives released an EP titled ‘Ska-Core, The Devil, and More.’ This title could be applied to any one their albums, and if that title appeals to you, Barrett and his boys sure will as well.
7/10
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