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May 9, 2004
Forces of Evil and The Weakerthans
Reviews by Brian Yaeger
Forces of Evil - Friend or FoE? - Jive
If thou doth think Forces of Evil (F.o.E.) soundeth too much like Reel Big Fish, thee hast hit it on thine head. Don’t expect anything too creative or erudite (keep in mind, these songs spring from the same well that brought you “She’s Got a Girlfriend Now”), but it doesn’t mean you can’t skank to it. Replete with blue language, but self-aware enough to know that they shouldn’t “rhyme shit with shit,” this is the feel-good retro 3rd Wave ska album you rude boys and girls have been craving. Featuring a gumbo of old school OC ska folk, FoE consists of Justin Evil (Jeffries Fan Club, Longfellow) on the drums, Chris Evil (JFC, the Specials) on t-bone, Derek Evil (JFC) bass, Jay Evil (the Scholars) on trumpet, Jonny Evil (Lone Raspberry) on the trombone and Aaron Evil (Reel Big Fish, The Scholars) singing guitaring. John Evil handles additional trumpet duty. While every track will make you wanna pick it up, the last ditty, “Fight” is the real driving force behind the album. Keep in mind these are the guys who abandoned ska and became “Rock.” Why do they Rock so hard? Not to mention all the rock tribs they’ve been on and how they’re always going off about how metal they are. Anyway, they somehow talked Nsync’s and Britney’s label into releasing the album, so kudos on their fight for the right to skank. You’re still better off seeing Fishbone at 14 Below or Malibu Inn.
Before I close this mutha out, it warrants lauding the recording efforts of the one who truly made this album possible, Dave Irish. If Mr. Barrett thinks he had half as much to do with the quality of this platter, he can meet me in the parking lot behind The Living Room in Goleta, where I first saw RBF for fi’ dolla’, which is where they’d still be w/o Irish.
Weakerthans - Reconstruction Site - Epitaph
To say that this CD surprised me is an understatement. My expectations were anything other than what was delivered. And what was delivered is a moving, poetic & jolting folk-rock album from John K. Sampson of Propagandhi notoriety. Don’t let the occasional horns or voice modulation fool you—this is folk-rock. Folk fuckin’ rock—not this Dashboard Confessional emocore or Pete Yorn/Rufus Wainwright neo Americana. I mean, they’re Canadian. Maybe it’s “Canadiana.” It's not as twangy as No-Depression style bands like Sun Volt & not as rootsy as southern rock artists like Edwin McCain. The music comes from the man who was representin’ the militantly revolutionary punk outfit, Propagandhi, & the prairies of Central Canada's Manitoba, a mind & a place practically none of us can relate to. Sampson's lyrics have shifted away from pointing out the faults of society to the plights of individuals.
Despite my friend from the Great White North lambasting Sampson for singing “I hate Winnipeg,” he’s got the right since he hails from up yonder. Whatever the case, he’s a great lyricist, and he’s in top form on this new batch. Add it to your collection.
-Ipod
• AC/DC best
• Beatles all (avoid doubles?)
• Police all
• Pixies all but Silver incl. Tribs
• Set lists (see files)
• Sugar & Spice
• Covered & Smothered
Posted by Ms. Jen at May 9, 2004 11:09 PM
