Oh yes, finally The Scrub have recorded a new CD! The Scrub really do have a great talent and this is why they have been one of my favourite bands of the last few years. Their music is just so energetic, fun, and truly entertaining and rewarding. On display here are 4 great tracks from the superb Bristol Skacore band. Bristol has been a great place for music with even the almighty Five Knuckle hailing from there. In all honestly I believe that The Scrub are on a par with Five Knuckle as every single tune they ever make always seems to sound perfect just like Five Knuckle have the fine talent of.
This CD kicks off with the super Ska scorcher of ‘Fine Time.’ I was really impressed when I heard this track on the CD for the first time as when I had heard a demo of it a while back it was full of Ska clichés and just sounded a bit cheap – and I know that The Scrub are far more than a clichéd, sound alike Ska band. The song definitely sounds a lot better now they have been removed and is a classic Ska track I will surely be listening to for a long while yet. This track never seems to get old – no matter how many times you listen to it – it always sounds great with amazing lyrics, some great bass lines, superb guitar riffs, some classic horn lines, and deadly drum beats. This one definitely has an element of 2-tone in it and mixed with their hardcore, verging on metallic guitar skills it is a definite hit. Just when you think it is coming to an end it goes into a classy little instrumental before running through the chorus one last time. I really think that the band have chosen wisely for a track to kick the CD off as this one really sets the mood and gets you ready for some hardcore skanking.
This energy and excitement carries into the second track, ‘Storm Ahead’ and third track ‘Rhonda.’ These are both amazing songs in their own right however they are both completely different in sound yet still distinctly Ska. The bands talent is really shown in their ability to change style as if at the flick of a switch and come out smelling of roses. However, it is in final track ‘Unstuck?’ that the band truly shows off just how talented they are. This one is a slow paced Ska classic and again they show off their 2-tone influence and do it in style. ‘Unstuck?’ has a great vocal collaboration that really does go down a treat. It sounds awesome and rounds the CD off nicely. The pace has dropped, and you know the CD is coming to a close – it is quite a depressing stage on the CD as you want more but know that the EP is soon to finish. Just when you think the CD is no more and you have started to drift off, a nice little instrumental kicks in and wakes you up again. It has a laid back on a sunny beach feel to it and gives the EP a truly classic ending. It definitely leaves you wanting more so hopefully there will be a few more CDs to follow from this band as otherwise I will not be a very happy bunny!
If you are a fan of Ska or Skacore then make sure you check out The Scrub at some stage as they really are a talented little 6 piece and I believe that they are a band that are going far in this business. There is no reason why they shouldn’t go far as the talent is definitely there so if they put in the hard work then before long they can definitely see themselves at the forefront of the scene.
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UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.
