Title: Quick Sin Jukebox
Format Reviewed: MP3
Format Released: 21st July 2014
Reviewed By: Millie Manders
I first heard these guys when their EP was dropped into my inbox for review. I was instantly impressed by the mix of old and new school ska/two tone/dub genres.I am now honoured by their personal request to review their album. Firstly because they asked me, secondly because it's a summer banger! This is hazy days, barbecue smoke, cold beers and garden parties music.
Some bands fall into the trap of pulling an amazing stunt with an EP by putting all their best songs on it, leaving their follow up records wanting. Smiling Ivy have thankfully thought this through and are presenting us lucky lot with a collection of summer time jams full of bouncing beats and beautiful brass.
One thing I really love about this band is the vocals. Raspy, sexy and pitch perfect, with their colloquial accent fully intact throughout adding charm to already attractive sounds.
If you want to check out a couple of tracks to convince yourselves of their greatness, here are a couple of tracks I strongly recommend...
Free Ride opens up with a guitar and sax following the same melody creating a jangly intro that turns in to an upstroke, head-nod ska track. I dare you not to skank. If you don't you're either dead on the inside, a hater of good ska (then why are you reading this review? Plus, if that's the case then see first reason) or you're actually physically unable to move.
Phenomenon reminds me of infamous madness videos. It's got a political undercurrent to the lyrics but the feel of the track would suit a satirical visual backdrop. It's fast and fun with some great half time breakdowns. This album is full of dance worthy goodness.
Old-school ska often had a political point of view and I love that Smiling Ivy are able to incorporate theirs without being overbearing or taking away from the fun and energy they are creating musically. I love a good message with my music, but you don't have to care about that to enjoy this album, which in my opinion, can be hard to achieve.
Equally, writing an album that has such an incredibly old school feel to it can be a task: after all, it's been done. Smiling Ivy have been able to produce a fresh sounding album keeping the feel old school but the overall product distinctly their own.
Your Smiling Ivy love affair is just a couple of clicks away and they don't even want you to part with your pennies for it: the full album is available as a FREE download from iTunes, Soundcloud and Bandcamp. It's also available to stream on Spotify.
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