Buck-O-Nine – Songs in the Key of Bree
welcome back to the Skaject folks! this week, our second record is the debut record of San Diego ska band Buck-O-Nine. Songs in the Key of Bree was released in 1994, a few years after the band’s formation in ’91.
Songs in the Key of Bree is a very interesting listen because for large chunks of the record, the band’s playing with their influences right on their sleeves. their lead singer, Jon Pebsworth, clearly sings with a delivery similar to Mustard Plug, and even a track like I Don’t Wanna Be No (J.B.J.), which is a pretty stark stylistic departure, is still riffing on the Dead Kennedys style.
there are a few really strong highlights here – Poorboy is catchy as hell, New Generation is exactly the kind of track that was on the early Tony Hawk soundtracks, and Irish Drinking Song is the undisputed top track on the record.
the rest though, are middling but enjoyable, for me. some of the tracks feel like they arent quite closing the loop, but i think the thing that keeps me the most on the fence about the record is the length and number of tracks – i definitely was not keyed in for an almost 20 track record. i will say a part of that is the strongest of the middle tracks are weighted towards the beginning of the record. if you enjoy the beginning, def stick it out because there may be a gem or two that speak to you near the end that didnt speak to me.
faves – Poorboy, Irish Drinking Song, New Generation
dislikes –
Songs In the Key of Bree – 5/10
our next record is gonna be Rancid’s Let’s Go!
previous: Fantasia | next: Let’s Go
this is the first Buck-O-Nine release | next: Barfly
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