The Ska Sound

Back in the days of Backstreet Boys and Green Day, ska was making its last hurrah before it hit the underground once again. Now I know ska has always been underground, but I remember hearing ska on the radio (basically, if your band plays on the radio you've hit the mainstream). I heard mostly one of my personal favorites quite a bit: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.
Being a trombone player myself, I listen for whether the horn section of the ska band is any good. I mean that's really what ska is about anyway, right? The Mighty Mighty Bosstones have one of the best horn sections in the genre. It's got an EXCELLENT brassy sound with a nice trombone base to carry it. Some ska bands base their horn sound on the trumpets. Well sure, it may sound just fine, but when looking for the feel of the band, you must think about the balance of the sound. And hell, if it's mainly trumpets, then it just won't sound as professional.


Some other bands with an excellent horn section are Buck-O-Nine and Five Iron Frenzy. Compare them with some more mainstream ska like Reel Big Fish or Suburban Legends and you'll get what I mean.

Music: Freaking Beautiful

Hey.
Music is freaking awesome, right? It brings different moods and oppurtunities to the listener. Its vast genre selection can please anyone.
Now there's good music, and there is total crap music. Some don't know the difference, some do. For those who do, it is painful to hear untalented artists who create what the general poulation wants to hear get all the hype, while the extremely talented artist who creates revolutionary music get the shaft when they deserve much more.
Sometimes you hear something you're not sure whether you like or not. Critics like myself are here to help.

We love music just as much as you do.
-The Young One