The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - "The Magic Of Youth"
January 24th 2012 09:55
Ska punk may not be in vogue anymore but it doesn't mean all those great bands just packed up and got real jobs.... Well actually the Bosstones did. Dicky Barrett worked on radio and TV as an announcer, Lawrence Katz went on to be a music teacher, some went into movies and regular office jobs but clearly the 9-5 grind did not suit these eight men so they are back with a new album and a new lease on music.
This album takes it back to the nineties era Bosstones. A healthy mix of horns and skanking beats mixed with punk rock power chords. Barrett's voice is still as gravel fueled as ever and the energy is the highest it's been for quite some years. The Bosstones are back baby.
Lyrically, Barrett creates characters from the people he may or may not of met and tells their story all within the space of four minutes. The title track "The Magic Of Youth" tell of a couple who realize growing old is a state of mind and there's no magical elixir to longevity. "Sunday Afternoons On Wisdom Ave" seems a bit more personal and reflects on fond childhood memories. "Disappearing" also seems reflective and touches on a mans place in the world. The same could be said for the rollicking opener “The Daylights”. One one hand it could be just a drunken fueled anthem, the band were notorious for in their first few albums, but on a deeper level it could almost be a tale of a man coming out of a mid life crisis. Perhaps this could well be the case for some of the band members?
But it’s all not serious and reflective. “They Will Need Music” is an upbeat, call to arms type song that will sure to be in their live set. “The Ballad Of Candlepin Paul” is an ode to Boston legend on the bowling lanes. This record has all the elements of a good Bosstones record. It may not reach the successes of “Lets Face It” and some may see it as made strictly for the fans, but for me who had lost faith in the Bosstones, this record does enough to win me back.
This album takes it back to the nineties era Bosstones. A healthy mix of horns and skanking beats mixed with punk rock power chords. Barrett's voice is still as gravel fueled as ever and the energy is the highest it's been for quite some years. The Bosstones are back baby.
Lyrically, Barrett creates characters from the people he may or may not of met and tells their story all within the space of four minutes. The title track "The Magic Of Youth" tell of a couple who realize growing old is a state of mind and there's no magical elixir to longevity. "Sunday Afternoons On Wisdom Ave" seems a bit more personal and reflects on fond childhood memories. "Disappearing" also seems reflective and touches on a mans place in the world. The same could be said for the rollicking opener “The Daylights”. One one hand it could be just a drunken fueled anthem, the band were notorious for in their first few albums, but on a deeper level it could almost be a tale of a man coming out of a mid life crisis. Perhaps this could well be the case for some of the band members?
But it’s all not serious and reflective. “They Will Need Music” is an upbeat, call to arms type song that will sure to be in their live set. “The Ballad Of Candlepin Paul” is an ode to Boston legend on the bowling lanes. This record has all the elements of a good Bosstones record. It may not reach the successes of “Lets Face It” and some may see it as made strictly for the fans, but for me who had lost faith in the Bosstones, this record does enough to win me back.
The Mighty MIghty Bosstones - The Magic Of Youth
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