The Johnstones - Word Is Bond

 

1. No Time For The Moment

2. L.A.D.I.E.S.

3. I Know What My Name Is

4. Livin' In The Gutter

5. Sunny Days

6. What Are You Lookin' At?

7. She Said It Was Coo...

8. Bang Bang

9. Dun' Wan Lo

10. Action

11. G7C7

12. Gettin' Paid

13. No Song Here.. Must Be A Mistake??

14. L.A.D.I.E.S. (Reeeeaallly Baddass X Rated Version)

15. Gone For A Long Time

 

The Johnstones have released their third album, and first full length, named "Word Is Bond". This album shows the band in a fun ska way, but with teenage humor. They have built this album as a ska band with toilet humor. These guys are similar to that of bands like The Aquabats, The Planet Smashers, or even a band like Reel Big Fish, so if you like any of those bands, you could really like this album. They have done an alright job here.

When looking at the recording quality on this album, the album has been recorded to a very nice level. This is pretty up there for a jokester, fun ska band, and really gives the songs legitimacy. The instrumentation on this album is shown off pretty well here. Now with Ska music, it isn't quite about the ability, its more how fast and groovy you can make the song. The band does show that they can certainly play, and the brass section really shows what they can do. This isn't going to blow you away, but the band can certainly play good solid ska. 

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album aren't that great. Their duel singers can sing, but it is more about being awkward and silly with the style. This does work for the band though, and thats what matters most. With the lyrics, for the most part they are very silly, childish and bathroom humour type of lyrics.  Song about getting paid, ladies, sex etc. These are fun songs, but it isn't really the type of music that holds up and keeps you having a long career. They are pretty good songs though.

If you are looking for a single to this album, give the song "Gone For A Long Time" your attention as it shows off the alum the best and the bands sound. 

The Johnstones have made their second album that really shows off their style and sound. This gives them something to really push forward and able to play more longer shows. For the genre that ska is, this works and is attracting people to their music. We like it. Listen to this album yourself to get your own opinion of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Ska/Punk/Rock

Release Date: 2006

Location: Ajax, Ontario

Label: Stomp Records 

Rebel Emergency - Love Ain't Free

1. Intro

2. Love Ain't Free

3. Sunriser

4. Summer Gold

5. Searching For

6. Last Goodbye

7. Take Me

8. So Long

9. They Said

10. Under The Sun

11. Sheriff

12. Travel So Far

Rebel Emergency have released their second album titled "Love Ain't Free." This album has a mix of alternative rock and reggae. This was made prevalent on their debut album, and they have continued it here. A similar band would be illscarlett, but less rock and more reggae, so if you like the reggae side of them, you should like this album. They have done a decent job here. When looking at the instrumentation on this album, the band has done a pretty good job. The music sounds pretty simple and standard, but they can certainly play, and the sound isn't lacking, it just won't wow you like crazy. Now onto the vocals and the lyrics, the vocals on here are pretty solid. You can tell that the singer can certainly sing, and you can clearly hear every word, so you get the main messages of each song. This album just has good old regular singing on it. With the lyrics on love ain't free, the band sings songs about relationships, cheating, being used, not being able to break free from someone, and more. We feel that there are people who have also been in these kind of situations and can relate to the things the vocalist is singing about. Overall, everything isn't too complex, so the average music listener can get into these songs. If you are looking for a single to this album, give the song "Sunriser" your attention, as this is the best song on the album and gives you a good idea of how the rest of the album sounds. Rebel Emergency have made an album that expands on their catalog of songs and give more to pull from for a better live show. These guys seem to have done a pretty decent job on this album, and looks like they are doing the right things to reach a wider audience with this album. We like it. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think about it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Reggae/Rock/Ska

Release Date: March 4th, 2008

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Label: None

Ceremonial Snips/Delegates - Checkpoint Change

1. F*ck With The Rose

2. Sniper

This is a split album Ceremonial Snips did with The Delegates. This only focuses on Ceremonial Snips songs as the other band are not from Ontario. This is their third  release to date. Listening to this album, they have a heavy fast ska feel to these two songs here. These guys decided to go all out for the song. They have a similar feel to that of early Goldfinger or a Big D and The Kids Table, so if you like those artists, you could like this half of the album. They did an alright job on this album half. When looking at the recording quality here, the songs seem to have a big of a different quality to each. Sniper feels like a bit of a better quality, while F With the Rose seems sloppy, fast and raw. Both songs need a little rock and having a louder, clearer sound. The instrumentation in these two songs is really pretty solid. With the fast metal/punk like playing, the brass and the regular band, it's a bit more complex than your average band. Now onto the vocals and the lyrics, the vocalist here went for a fast delivery of his lyrics, while still keeping them clear enough for you to hear them. He can sing this ska punk sound and his voice works for it. With the lyrics, the band goes for really punk lyrics and just letting out your anger, while F with the rose is more about being punk and saying this is what we chose and will will live and breathe it. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just listen to both songs really, it's only about 5 mins, and then you will get what they are going for here. Ceremonial Snips have put out their third release featuring two songs that are fast ska punk songs and really give you that true punk feel. A decent job was done with these, so we can't wait to here when the next full album comes out. Listen to these two songs to decide for yourself what you think of them. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Ska/Punk

Release Date: 2005

Location: Welland, Ontario

Label: None

Crookedhook - All We Got

1. Inhumanity

2. Intervention

3. Relax And Unwind

4. One For The Team

5. Down It Goes

6. Waste No Time

7. Love Tunnel

8. So Sorry Sir

9. Freestyle Battle

10. Fair Weather
11. Death Of A Small Town
12. Daily Grind
13. All We Got

Crookedhook have released their debut full length album titled "All We Got." This album is a very punk album that has some ska feels to it. These guys have a similar sound to that of a Flatliners and Less Than Jake, so if you like those bands, you could really like this album. The guys have done an alright job here. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album could use a little work. The album just doesn't sound as loud and clear as it could be, might be that it was 10 years ago. When you look at the instrumentation, its not really anything to blow you away, but the can play moderately. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on the album could also be a little better, but they do fit that punky ska sound so that's pretty good. With the lyrics here, the band manages to hit on a bunch of different topics. From working to treating people badly to just relax, these are all the sort of subjects the more punk bands hit, and they do it pretty well. If you are looking for a single to this album, give the song "Love Tunnel" your attention, as it is the best song on the album and gives you the best idea of how the album is. Crookedhook have made an album that really gives a full idea of what the band is about and what they are trying to do. Hopefully they can get a bit of a better recording on the next one and maybe add onto the ska side of their music. Either way we look forward to hearing whats next. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Ska/Punk/Rock

Release Date: November 10th, 2007
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Website: http://www.crookedhook.net/

Label: Pink Skull Records

Cheap Suits - Lookin' For A Deal

1. We Aim High
2. #1 Fan
3. Lay It On The Line
4. No Ami
5. Perfect Girl
6. In Love With The Lead Singer
7. Julia

Cheap Suits have released their debut album titled "Lookin' For A Deal." This album has that fast punk feel to it without going into the hardcore punk. They have a similar sound to that of Belvedere or Millencolin, so if you like those bands you could like cheap suits. They have done a pretty good job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, there is obviously some work to do here, The instrumentation on the album is not bad as you can tell the band can play. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on the album could use a little bit of work, but more production on the vocals could help. With the lyrics, they are not bad but not great either. There is some work to be done and the content in the songs could be a little more meaningful as well as reworked. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get an idea of the album. Cheap Suits have made a debut album that is indicative of the time and the punk being made then, It is a pretty good job for a first album. Hopefully a few changes and better recording and the band can really take this somewhere. We look forward to hearing what is next. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Punk/Rock/Ska

Release Date: 2000

Location: Scarborough, Ontario
Website: http://www.cheapsuits.ca/

Label: None

Shark Week - Nobody Famous

1. Tidal Wave

2. Graffiti

3.Ambulance

4. Make It On Top

5. Extra Lime

Shark Week have released their debut album titled "Nobody Famous." Now we will say, yes they are nobody famous, and ska is not a very popular genre, but they are doing something here that is not bad. These guys have a similar but more of a younger sound to that of a Less Than Jake or a Reel Big Fish. They have done an alright job on this album.When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded fairly decently for a debut album. The album has a little work to do but it is still done alright. The albums instrumentation is pretty average here, nothing to blow you away, but the band can play. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on the album are nothing to write home about, they could use some work as they don't quite sound to have that perfect tone. With the lyrics, they could also use some work as they are pretty amateur and don't have much substance to them, on the other hand they are kind of that no worries, just listen and have fun type of band so they are okay. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the idea of the album. Shark Week have built a foundation for their music with their debut welcome to album. Now hopefully with a base to start from, they can perfect and make a better overall sound. Not a band album all in all, good job. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Ska/Rock/Surf

Release Date: Oct 24th, 2011

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Website: http://www.sharkweek.ca/

Label: None

Staylefish - Audible Addiction

1. The Spark
2. Rebel Rider
3. Green, Black & Gold
4. Back In The Day
5. Bullet
6. No Ulterior Motives
7. AA
8. Interlude
9. Deja Vu
10. The Weekend
11. Southside
12. Sensimilla
13. The Archive
14. Not Too Late

Staylefish have released their second album titled "Audible Addiction." This album follows in the footsteps of their debut album with a similar style and sound. These guys have quite the sound, I would say they are similat to a Bedouin Soundclash or a Westbound Train, so if you like those bands, you could like this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded pretty well here. The instrumentation is alright here too, the band can play. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals are pretty similar to their previous album, while they do have different styles with the reggae vocals then the regular vocals, it makes it not like every other band. Both of these singers can sing and you can understand them. With the lyrics, they go for more of that light, fun lyric that doesn't really mean much except for making you feel upbeat. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the feel of the album. Staylefish have again made an album that mixed the reggae with the rock and it has a nice sound. Now all that is left is to get out there and bring it to people. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.).

Genre: Reggae/Ska/Punk

Release Date: August 15th, 2006

Location: London, Ontario
Website: http://www.staylefish.com/

Label: None

Moglee - Recess!

1. Glow
2. The Penny Song
3. Stormy Weather
4. Pdacifist March
5. Rain Does
6. Pusher
7. Lay Down
8. Plan B
9. All Aboard
10. Street Violence And Lemonade
11. Date Book
12. The Opener

Moglee have released their second album titled "Recess!" This album is one that has quite the reggae feel to it. This album has a similar feel to one of a illScarlett or Magic!, so if you like those bands, you could like these guys. They have done an alright job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded alright, but it could use some work in the overall quality of the albums sound, as well, the bands instrumentation is nothing to spectacular, just on par with other reggae bands. Now onto the vocals and lyrics,the vocals are alright, they could use some work, but they are clear and you can hear the singer. With the lyrics, they also could use some work as they are very amateur in their subjects and they just don't have as much substance as they could in some songs. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the idea of the albums feel. Moglee have done an alright job on their album here with spots they can improve and make better. This is a good start to what could be something though, so we are looking forward to what is next once they refine their sound. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Reggae/Ska/Rock

Release Date: 2008

Location: Waterloo, Ontario

Label: None

The Bosswich - Eat Me

1. Eat Me
2. New Song Same Sound
3. Duped
4. Space Pirates
5. Exit Wounds

The Bosswich have released their second album titled "Eat Me." this album is one that really shows off the band trying to go with that ska and Punk feel. The band has a sort of Planet Smashers or Big D and the Kids Table sound to them, so if you like those guys, you could like this band. They have done an alright job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of the album, the album has an alright sound, but it could use a little work here and there to really build the sound up. This band has some pretty good instrumentation and they do use a variety of instruments but they seem to all be played averagely. Now onto the vocals and the lyrics, the vocals are not bad, they are clear and you can here exactly what they are saying, so this is good, while the lyrics seem to be a little different and unrelateable to the listener on here, but that is okay because ska is just plain old fun music. If you are looking for a single to this album, give the song "Eat Me" your attention, as this is the best song on the album and it gives you an idea of the feel of the album. The Bosswich have done an alright job expanding the sound that they created on their debut album and continuing it through all five songs. Hopefull with some progression, the band can really make a push and stand out more in the overall scene. Good job overall. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Ska/Punk

Release Date: June 8th, 2012

Location: Waterloo, Ontario

Website: http://www.thebosswich.com/

Label: None

Stereokid - Young Heart

1. Young Heart
2. Get Lost
3. Everything Keeps Changing
4. All Night Long
5. Staring At The Sun
6. I Get High
7. Waiting On You
8. Everything Keeps Changing (Acoustic)

Stereokid have released their third album titled "Young Heart." Young Heart is an album that expands on the sound that the guys have come to with their previous two albums,  lighter rock with some hip hop styled lyrics to it. The closest band we can really come up with to this band would be illScarlett or KO, so if you like those guys, you could like this band. Stereokid has done an alright job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the recording has been done fairly well here as the album is quite clear and you can hear the singer. With the instrumentation, it is pretty average, but they can play well here. Now onto the lyrics and the vocals, the lyrics on this album are light and summery while the content seems to be mostly about girls. Now the singer and his vocals are pretty decent, nice crisp and clear so you can tell just what he is saying. if you are looking for a single to this album, give the title song "young Heart" your attention as it is the best song on the album and it gives you the best representation of how the rest of the album sounds. Stereokid has done an album that really has a different sound on every song, this shows off what the band can really do, but maybe just strip it down and give us just one sound, other than that, good job overall on the album. We do hope the band gets out and plays more so more buzz can get out about the band. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think about it.

Genre: Ska/Rock/Hip-Hop
Release Date: July 27th, 2015
Location: Oakville, Ontario
Website: http://www.stereokid.ca
Label: None

Angry Agency - Calling Out To A World Divided

1. Everything Is Possible
2. All My Heroes Are Drunks And Frauds
3. The Emancipation Of Ghada Jamsheer
4. Never Give Up
5. If You Think Politics Are Boring Then Go Listen To Brit Pop You Fucking Fuck
6. This Isn't Life, This Is Decay
7. Brick By Brick, Bomb By Bomb
8. D's Song
9. A Personal Satyagraha
10. I Hope You Both Lose
11. Olive Branch
12. Morning Self Hate
13. San Cristobal De Las Casas
14. Beasts Of England
15. Victims And Killers

Angry Agency have released their second album titled "Calling Out To A World Divided." This album is a continuing extension of their debut that saw the band pull out those trombones and whip the ska onto unsuspecting listeners. This is a band that people who like Mustard Plug or Planet Smashers will like, so get on them if you do like those bands. These guys have done a pretty good job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded alright, but the album as a whole could be a  bit clearer and have the sound bumped up a bit. With the instrumentation, they have some pretty decent guitar work at times here. Now onto the lyrics and vocals, the lyrics are alright, they could be better but they seem to be a little basic with the political side of the lyrics, but the vocals work pretty well with the sound that these guys are going for. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick any song and give it a listen to get the idea of the album. We personally like "If You Think Politics Are Boring.." Angry Agency have done an alright job on this album. it does continue on the sound that the band has been going with and it expands their library of songs for them. We do however hope that the band can progress a but more and use their skills to really show them. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Ska/Punk/Rock
Release Date: January 23rd, 2007
Location: London, Ontario

Label: Trackfire Records