Ah, the split CD, a more cost effective way for bands and labels to get a physical release out there and the opportunity to appeal to a set of fans that maybe wouldn’t listen to you otherwise. Done right, the split CD is a good tool. Done wrong, well… Thankfully ‘Boss Sounds of the Boom & Bust!’ is a split CD done right. The two bands have a naturally comparable sound (to be fair it’s hard to imagine any two bands on the Do The Dog roster doing anything but compliment each other) but there’s enough variety to separate the two and keep each ‘side’ fresh.
Up first, in the blue corner, hailing from King’s Lynn, Norfolk is Captain Black No Stars, a five piece that plays laid-back reggae/ska conspicuous in its seriously chilled grooves. ‘Rivers of Blood’ proves to be a luscious blend of keyboards and strings that simply breezes along. ‘The Lighter Song’ is a little more up tempo, a jolly jaunt of anti-establishment sentiment and Rizla driven protest. It’s also the highlight of the entire CD. ‘As Zac Says’ returns the pace to a stroll with the keys again prominent and ‘Dub MPLA’ is, well, a dub number that goes a long way in demonstrating the diversity and musicianship on board here.
The sounds of CBNS are embedded in both first and second wave ska creating a real throwback feel. Musically this is tight. There is however an initial hesitation over the vocals of Bill Smoker. At first they come across alarmingly Smashmouth like, but after a few listens this hesitation dissipates and you can’t help but be charmed by the man. It’s nice to hear a different vocal sound after all.
Following up in the red corner, Wigan’s Rasta4Eyes throw in a little more urgency, sitting closer to third wave ska. The pop sensibilities of Grown at Home/Advantage are juxtaposed with the essence of The JB Conspiracy to the extent that it’s safe to say the band sits firmly between the pair. The brass sounds of ‘Oscar and Arthur’ imply a carnival atmosphere, whilst ‘Good Old Rock ‘n’ Roll’ makes guitars more prominent including what is quite a big riff for this genre. Good stuff. ‘The Herb’ is another up tempo ska number, and the battling presence of keys and strings on ‘Never Will I pay’, this side’s standout, makes it the closest to CBNS’s output beforehand.
It’s a solid four songs that prove both playful and clever. Focus on growing weed and drug dealers sits alongside the ongoing problems with unemployment (Wigan has recently been identified as an unemployment hotspot) and a rather bleak viewpoint of Her Majesty’s Customs and Revenue. Agitated commentary it can be but with a delivery so soulfully enjoyable it’s far from doom and gloom.
Across both sides of this split there’s a definite feeling that both Captain Black No Stars and Rasta4Eyes are not only worth a full-length each but more than merit the attention of a lot more people. Well executed, thoughtfully evocative, and just downright danceable, this is summer music that also happens to have a message worth hearing too. 4/5 for CBNS, 3/5 for Rasta4Eyes and a massive thumbs-up for teaming the two together on this release.
Alex