The CD starts off with "Japanese Robot." A very traditional sounding ska tune, lined with the usual horns, while the bass, drums, and guitar work together to bring you something so powerful your heart will jump with you get up and move. Heck, you can even sit back and just enjoy this instrumental track while your talking to some friends. Their first single, "Blood Red sky," adds some swing into the traditional ska sound, while the vocals add soul to song. You can hear in the vocals that they really enjoy what they're doing, and that they just want you to have fun. "Hob-Nobbin'" brings you some more beats that you'll be swingin' and dancing too. Grab a partner and take advantage of this song. The keyboards will get your toes tapping, while the horns will fill your heart with love. The drums, bass, and guitar will further this process by making you jump up and dance! If your not movin' or feeling the love this song gives off, your hopeless. "Wildfire" brings back the vocals, which just add so much to the songs. The vocals drive straight to your heart and make you feel the music even more. The horns and the rest of the band get you up and moving, but with the vocals present you'll feel the music ten times as strong. "Drunk" is a classic cover song. Once you hear it, you'll know you've heard it before. And you probably have, but not like this. Skavoovie adds their own flare to the song, and boy do they do it in style. From the opening beats you'll be running to grab a partner and just want to swing, swing, and SWING! The CD closes out with "Riverboat." Some tasty traditional ska. What better way to close out a fabulous album than this.

Skavoovie and the Epitones may be fairly new on the scene, but in the coming months (and years) you'll be hearing a lot about them. I promise. They take all the music they love (ska and swing) and mix it into their own perfect style. It's very enjoyable and can be used in many scenarios. If you need to unwind after a hard day, put this CD in. If you just want some great background music, this will more than do the job for you. And there are many more uses for this CD, but you'll have to discover that on your own. I give this CD an A-. Go now and pick it up!

Skavoovie & the Epitones: The Growler

Skeletones, The: Dr. Bones

[Issue Two // September-October 1997]