Bosstones reveal beautiful and destructive sides

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
A Jacknife to a Swan
SideOneDummy Records Dust off your plaid and prepare yourself for some serious skankin' because the Bosstones are back and better than ever. Some five years after "The Impression that I Get" catapulted them into the mainstream, the Bosstones have come full circle. After two major label releases with a more polished sound, the Bosstones dropped to an indie label and made a great record for their fiercely devoted fans. The studio polish that stunted the last two Bosstones records is noticeably absent, giving great freedom to their explosive sound. However, the years of churning out songs with greater mass appeal vastly improved their songwriting skills. This skill, combined with the Bosstones' trademark blend of furious punk, searing ska and reggae produces what could easily be their best work. The band has a cohesion and looseness that was missing for some time. A recent change in the line-up brought in lots of new blood, and the new group is impressive. The standout is definitely Chris Rhodes, whose blazing trombone and intense back-up vocals add a new dynamic to the band. The lyrical content is classic Bosstones. The album runs the gamut with songs about deadbeats, Boston, the old-school fans and even a tribute to John Gotti's underboss. The band is obviously comfortable with delving into other musical genres as well. A bit of breezy pop is apparent in "You're Chasing the Sun Away" and "Everybody's Better" borrows more from reggae than the typical Bosstones tune. The most interesting track on the record is "Seven Ways to Sunday," a blues song with an eerie similarity to the band\'s 1990 classic "Little Bit Ugly." As the title "Jackknife to a Swan" suggests, the Bosstones have a beautiful side and a destructive side. The Swan is the togetherness of the band and their songwriting prowess, while the Jackknife is the band's hardcore past and their stalwart devotion to their fans. These opposites come together in the most accomplished and enjoyable ska record in their long career.