If S.J. Sharkie is the hardest working fish in the NHL, then Monkey must be the hardest working ska band in the world. Curtis Meacham, or, as he introduces himself to people, “Curtis from Monkey,” rallies the troops on what must be the band’s 137th album. Despite it all, you know they keep it real because they still thank Taco Bravo in the liner notes.
The title track leads things off on a dull note. It just sounds tired. As a band more focused on having a good time, it’s more important than normal to be upbeat all the time. “My Own Time” gets things off to a much brighter start, but it still gets a little subdued halfway through. Ditto for “In Demand.”
There are four instrumentals on the album, and they all provide for excellent background music at your own party, although for the right amount of money I am sure you can get them to play it. For the most part, the instrumentals are the best tracks on the album.
“This Life” is definitely one you can skank to. If I am going to sit in the parking lot at the aforementioned Taco Bravo on Bascom Avenue, this is the song I want playing while I enjoy my Taco Delite. Unfortunately, it is a challenge to eat one of those in three minutes and three seconds. Luckily, you can follow that up with “Walking on Coals,” which also has good flavor, even if there is no freshly shredded cheddar cheese. “Chemical Nation” sounds as if Men at Work did ska. To me that’s a compliment, anyway.
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