A Jackknife to a Swan

Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 9, 2002)
• Original Release Date: July 9, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Side One Dummy
• ASIN: B000068TZX
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #102,184 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

After six studio albums under their skinny leather belts, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones have found themselves back at an indie label. The perplexing part of this equation is these once and future rude boys from Boston have never sounded better or more ready for prime time; their metal-ska punk has been honed to a fine, serrated edge, with much of the furious posturing of years past gone. Always a tight and flashy band, this time out the Bosstones have spent considerable time crafting a set of dynamic lyrics that are cinematic in scope, with a barely hidden moral center that shines brightly. Most of the tunes are small narrative slices of life that might have been "ripped from the headlines," like the gritty, ska-infused "Mr. Moran," based on the life of Mafia turncoat Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Bravano, who testified against mob boss John Gotti. The dark subject matter is skillfully integrated in the almost childlike sing-song delivery, with the occasional explosive expletive as reality check and a nod to subtle irony. Others tunes are cautionary tales, like the hard-charging "You Can't Win," which warns that there are different rules for normal folks and rich types: "They're wide awake while you're still in bed / They count the money while you count the sheep." They return again to this theme of the eternal war of "us versus them" on the acerbic "Punch Line," finally settling all questions of personal inequity on the poetic and uplifting "Everybody's Better." This standout song could have ambled off a Jamaican beach, with its casual rhythms and breezy horn section, but once again behind the deceptively simple melody lies profundity: "To be king, you don't need a castle… A true king rules without a crown." On this album, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones truly earn their second modifier and show themselves more than able rule all that they survey. --Jaan Uhelszki

Product Description

As the title suggests, the punk, ska and reggae inflected album simultaneously makes a huge splash and gracefully cuts the surface with songcraft perfected over the bands last two albums. 2002.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Return to their Classic Ska-Core Sound, November 16, 2002

By	"kingofrock379" (New York) - See all my reviews

A Jackknife to a Swan marks the Bosstones' return to the ska-core sound that they made their own in the early 90's. This album follows the experimental, Pay Attention which was released in 2000. Like their 3rd wave couterparts Reel Big Fish, A Jackknife to a Swan also marks a lineup change in the Bosstones, trombone player Dennis Brockenborough is replaced by Chris Rhodes formerly of Spring Heeled Jack and even though Lawrence Katz replaced Nate Albert in 2000, Jackknife is the first album with the Bosstones that he played on and helped write. Both players also make their presence known, Chris with his vocals and Lawrence with his searing guitar parts. The new members also enhance the band which features singer Dicky Barrett, bassist Joe Gittleman, drummer Joe Sirois, and sax players Tim 'Johnny Vegas' Burton and Roman Fleysher.
A Jackknife to a Swan: 10/10, one of the best songs on the album, a perfect way to start, it has a really catchy chorus
Mr. Moran: 10/10, written about Sammy the Bull Gravano, the infamous mafia boss, another excellent song, has some really good lyrics, and Lawrence's guitar playing is realy strong on it
You Gotta Go: 9/10, first single, sounds somewhat like their other singles, ie. Impression that I Get, So Sad to Say, but a great song none the less
Everybody's Better: 10/10, after three fast songs this is the midtempo one that slows everything down, it's a great song too, and Chris' vocals on it are awesome
Sugar Free: 10/10, classic Bosstones sound, one of the first songs released from this album on the Atticus compilation, gave a preview of things to come
I Want My City Back: 10/10, an ode to their hometown of Boston, most people consider this song to be filler, but it's actually one of my favorite's on the album, Dicky wrote great lyrics for this song
Chasing the Sun Away: 10/10, another midtempo song, but amazing as well, shows of the horns and has a great singalong chorus
You Can't Win: 8/10, going back to thier ska core roots on this song, very hard, great horns, and background vocals
Old School Off the Bright: 10/10, another one of my favorites on the album, the music is amazing, the horns are top notch and the drums sound great as well, this song is also a great show opener, both times I've seen them they opened with this
The Punch Line: 7/10, this is where the album starts to drag, this isn't a horrible song but it's definately not one of their best, but it's good none the less
Go Big: 2/10, one of the weakest Bosstones songs ever, I think, the lyrics are dumb and the music isn't that good, whenever i hear this song i think one thing........filler
S@*t Outta Luck: 6/10, One of the weaker songs on the album, usually the song i skip when listening straight through, not as bad as Go Big though
7-Ways to Sunday: 4/10, the acoustic song on the album, sounds like they were trying to do something similar to A Little bit Ugly with this one, not that good though
Even though the album drags towards the end, the first 9 songs make it worth it, and even the songs with the low ratings are still worth a listen, for anyone that loves ska especially 3rd wave, you'll appreciate this album

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bosstones are back and in your face!!, August 19, 2002

By	Brian (PA United States) - See all my reviews

Ok so the Bosstones, what comes to your mind? Boston? Sure. Suits that make them cool onstage? Definitely! A good CD after years of touring, heartbreaking member changes in the band, many fans and hundreds of cities later? Heck yeah! The Tones are just one of my favorite bands. Pay Attention didn't really cut it for me but I still listened to them. Now that JTAS came out this album is my all time favorite Bosstone album. Some fans think the absence of Nate Albert (former guitarist) really ruined their sound. Not true. New guitarist Lawrence Katz does a great job filling in for Nate with his riffs on the album and his ska groove. And the horns as always do a kick ... job of blending in with Katz's guitar to make that Ska-core sound that the Tones are well known for. All the songs on the CD are different in sound, mood, and message. Dicky Barrett's vocals and the rest of the band will have you off your feet. You want to listen to great ska-core sound, blaring horns, loud guitar that can switch to a ska groove within a second and great song writing done by a great singer? By this album. You well earned money will be really well spent.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strong continuation of the Bosstones' late style, May 19, 2005

By	Lavode (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews

The first few albums were very raw sounding, with tight brass on top of punk-inspired vocals. However, with the advent of "Let's Face It" the band took a more melodius direction with their vocals, more rock instrumentation, but keeping the brass there, if not further in the background.

This disc is very much in keeping with the sound and feel of "Pay Attention," and is great fun. This sound is what makes the Bosstones one of my all-time favorite ska bands (only thing close is early Fishbone).

1. Jackknife To A Swan- Great start out, almost sounds like they're trying for a radio hit (Knock On Wood-esque) straight out of the gate.

2. Mr. Moran- Another awesome song, fast ska with a great chorus

3. You Gotta Go!- Slightly less impressive, but still a good song.

4. Everybody's Better- My favorite on the album, reminds me of Rascal King, slightly slower, very Reggae, awesome chorus.

5. Sugar Free- First song I might be tempted to call filler, but still not weak by any stretch. Will probably grow on me in time.

6. I Want My City Back- See above.

7. Chasing The Sun Away- Going back to the slightly slower Reggae beat, which is a nice breather from the last two songs. Great vocals in here, with a distinctly Caribbean feel. Nice diversion.

8. You Can't Win- This one didn't do much for me, seems like filler.

9. The Old School Off The Bright- Nice 'bone solo to start things off, fun song to keep the toes tapping.

10. The Punch Line- Reminds me of So Sad to Say very strongly. Slightly more guitar, less brass, but still very consistent sounding. Nice addition, makes the set seem familiar.

11. Go Big- More conventional rock than ska. Didn't really do much for me. Lyrics are a little odd too.

12. S#%t Outta Luck- Back to the typical Bosstone's ska style. Enough profanity to make up for the fact that there's very little through the rest of the album. I could take or leave this one.

13. 7 Ways To Sunday- Closing the album with a very different style, lots of rhythm guitar with a harmonica, with a mix of growling vocals and harmonies. Reminds me of Zombie Wood by Frank Zappa. As odd and out of place as it is, it is a kind of whimsical piece with a good beat, and I suspect it will grow on me.

So there you have it. A couple low points, but nothing I would say kills the momentum. Overall worth the minus of one star, but hey, 5 stars are hard to come by.