Bottoms Up

Allstonians | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 6, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fork in Hand
• ASIN: B000092Q6C
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,796 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #53 in Music > Alternative Rock > Ska > Third Wave Ska

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, Fun Trad Ska, August 15, 2004

By 

A. Liebling (Long Island City, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bottoms Up (Audio CD)

There have been trad ska releases since 1999, but few have been any good. The lack of output has made ska fans cling to the few new releases like they were god's gift. As such, ordinarily bland and forgettable trad albums, like the latest Chris Murray and Go Jimmy Go, have been held in glorious high esteem. Well, the latest from the Allstonians (their first in six years) is something for the ska fan to really cheer about. It's so vibrant, positive, and enthusiastic that it practically warps you back to the early 90s. The album explodes with the jubilant One Day, and it takes off from there. Even the instrumentals are memorable -- they're fun and energetic and kept under three minutes. With the exception of a too-goofy hidden track and Sean Connery (containing dopey banter behind a decent instrumental -- all Allstonians albums have to have a song like that), all the tunes are danceable and enjoyable. Best vocal tracks are One Day and the bouncy Fear & Loathing; the best instrumentals are Aldo Moro, and Mikey Dee and its dub counterpart Clockwork Dub. But the album is solid from beginning to end, and is, in my opinion, the first truly great trad ska album since the Bluebeats Live & Learn (2000).

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars pretty decent, August 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Bottoms Up (Audio CD)

Ska has gone downhill, a very steep hill. We all knew this would happen after MTV came out with their own variation of the music, but I never thought it would have effected my favorite bands. Over the past few years very few ska cds have been released, and 95% of them have been pretty weak efforts. Easy Big Fella, Skavoovie and the Epitones, and now the Allstonians are the three that stand out the most. All three albums are worth buying to support some great bands and what is left of the scene, but don't expect greatness.

One thing I have to mention is that whoever designs the covers for The Allstonians CDs does a very good job at capturing the essence of their music. The gritty, b&w, smoky lounge feel to their first album. The Allston Beat's rainy somber college town atmosphere. And now Bottom's Up with a super fruity logo and floating band member heads on yellow background. It gives you a happy bouncy feel, which this album certainly does. Though happy/bouncy is very characteristic for ska bands, the Allstonians used to have a very unique sound that was all their own and now they sound like any other mediocre ska band.

I recommend this to true ska fans though, there are a couple gems that are reminiscent of the Allstonians I used to know and love. At least they didn't try to change with the times like the living tragedies that are Lets Go Bowling, The Pietasters, and numerous others.

As for ska bands that are still putting out excellent music, check out the new Slackers. I think they are the only band that hasn't lost inspiration and only get better with time.

In any case, buy this now. Support the Allstonians and maybe they'll release a better album next time.