If It's Too Loud...

Ska isn't known for being a serious genre. The third wave has given the genre a reputation of being silly and goofy, but the latest from The Boy Detective might change that. "Good Year" has all of the trappings of the infamous third wave of ska. It's right on the border of being skacore. It's fast, with shout along choruses and gang vocals that kick in at any time. But, the Detroit band have crafted a song about looking inward and working on yourself, which is most likely a first for the genre. It's a fun song with multiple tempo changes and a serious, and important message. In fact, "Good Year" might be the most fun pro-mental health anthem we've heard. The Boy Detective are quickly becoming one of our favorite modern ska bands. Vocalist Ben Capaul says of the new single: “Just when you thought that the person in the mirror can’t change for the best, The Boy Detective gives you a template for how to turn things around and have a…pretty good year...

The Boy Detective are quickly becoming our favorite Detroit ska punk band, and with "Beth Truss," they're sure to become yours, too. The horn heavy new single is filled with gruff vocals that edge more than a little bit into pop punk territory while still keeping just enough of an edge. This is the type of song practically begging to be screamed out loud at a show if you can stop dancing long enough to. One of the key ingredients of any genre of ska is for it to be fun, and "Beth Truss" is overflowing with fun. It takes all of the joy in both ska and pop punk and gives it back to the listener in handfuls. If you can get past your music snob past and/or present, you're going to love The Boy Detective. Vocalist Benny Capaul says of the band's latest single: “This ancient song was taken off the shelf, dusted off, and reformatted to sonically invoke singalongs and brain-eating choruses and gang vocals, in the only way The Boy Detective knows best.  You’ll fi...

Part of my mid-life crisis appears to be a second ska phase. That works perfectly for the latest from The Boy Detective. The Detroit band just released "To the Wanton Will of a Harlot's Hand," a high energy ska-punk track that is reminiscent of the third wave of ska in the 90's. If anything, this new track from The Boy Detective is a little more rough than what we used to hear thirty years ago. It seems to land somewhere between the ska-core of Mighty Mighty Bosstones and the more polished sound of Reel Big Fish. Yet, "To the Wanton Will of a Harlot's Hand" never quite feels like a throwback. Perhaps this could be the harbinger of a much predicted fourth wave we seem to be overdue for. Benny Capaul (vocals) says of the band's new single: "To the wanton will of a harlot’s hand - is an expression of self- sabotage through relationships and failed second chances. A humanistic depiction of depression and heartache. 'I'm not a martyr this was...

Maybe because it's because I went to a bunch of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones' Hometown Throwdowns, but I oddly associate ska-punk with Christmas and New Year's Eve. The Boy Detective are here to help me out with their latest holiday single, "I Renounce Verdukianism!" The song gets it's title from a made up religion from 30 Rock , and it's a fast and funny track about the chaos that comes with the holidays. It's definitely leaning into the punk side of ska-punk, and is just a fun song about Christmas. If you grew up in the midst of third wave ska, "I Renounce Verdukianism!" is going to resonate with you. Lead vocalist Benny Capaul says that his band's new song is "...  our nod to the holidays gone wrong, packed with all the regrets and frosty mishaps one could hope for.” You can watch the lyric video for "I Renounce Verdukianism!" below. The single is out now on Punkerton Records. For more on The Boy Detective, check out the ...

Artist : The Boy Detective Album : Exhibition Quick Thoughts : The ska revival is alive and well as long as The Boy Detective are on the case. This gives me big mid-1990s Less Than Jake vibes in all the right ways, and it's a great ska throwback without feeling like a throwback, if that makes sense. Plus, the Fall Out Boy-style long titles kind of make the complete package. A great listen this week. Songs of Note : "Some Drakkar Noir Wearing Dexter With a Boner," "Replacement," "The Secret Life (And Tragic Death) of Richard T. Owl," "It's Not About the Horniness, It's About the Loneliness," "She Only Dates Astronauts (So What on Earth is She Doing With Me?)," "My Figurative Heart" Artist : Thank Album : I Have a PHysical Body That Can Be Harmed Quick Thoughts : Post punk is in a heyday all its own right now, and while Thank isn't quite as melodic as Viagra Boys or as angsty as Idles, it's near-im...

Last week we brought you the new Halloween song from Half Dizzy, and this week we're bringing you the second side of that split 7". "For the Record, I'm Not a Cannibal Anymore" is from Detroit's The Boy Detective. Much like The Faceless, this side features guest appearances: J. Navarro from The Suicide Machines supplying vocals and Eric Abbey from J. Navarro and the Traitors on keys. "For the Record, I'm Not a Cannibal Anymore" is a chilled out ska track... at least until the end when the speed and noise speeds up into a ska-punk burst. As with any ska song, The Boy Detective have delivered a fun song, and one with a pretty sly sense of humor. This is perfect for a Halloween song, and even pulls off the spooky vibe even without the lyrical content. You can listen to "For the Record, I'm Not a Cannibal Anymore" below. The 7" will be out on Punkerton Records, and is available for pre-order here . For more on The Boy Detective, c...