Best Ska of the last 10 years

Alright for my first "review" I'm gonna attempt to make a list of the best Ska albums from the last 10 years. This was harder then I thought due to so many small albums being released and such and there are so many good albums. If I spent my time trying to go through my memory old playlists and such looking for every album I've once listened to and loved I'd be here all week. So I'm going to have to only really look at albums that were generally popular as well as the ones I've loved. I'm also not gonna put these in an order, its just impossible. If you disagree or have a suggestion please leave a comment!
Here we go!

Slow Gherkin - Shed Some Skin
This band perfectly defines what true "3rd Wave" Ska music was about. A catchy well thought out and musical blend of Ska, Rock, Punk and whatever else. The album from start to finish never dissapoints! Its driving, danceable, fun and serious (musically atleast). What more do you need?

Mustard Plug - Yellow #5
Alot of people hated and even more loved this album. The people who hated it I think hated the more mellow and even less Ska feel of the album. At first I agreed with them! Some of the songs seemed to step away from what I had felt was Mustard Plug. But after a few listens I found the songs never leaving my head. The music is just different and you have to get use to it but its still great Ska. Very musical and very melodic just a good listen.

Common Rider - This is Unity Music
Yeah I know you are saying it "Common Rider isn't a Ska band!". To a point I agree with you. But you can not deny the heavy Ska and kinda Popified (is that a word?) Reggae feel of this album. Jesse's lyrics are of course beautiful and the music is kinda simple but it works wonderfully. Its driving but sensitive, fun but serious. A good album for Ska fans or just people who wanna hear something different. A definite need for any collection!

Bad Manners - Heavy Petting
Bad Manners have been around forever but are one of the most ignored 2-Tone bands. This album is a perfect description of what Bad Manners is. The music is uber catchy and upbeat. The lyrics are of course just silly and so are some of the horn lines and such. But its a solid record and its a great one to get if you are new to Bad Manners. Though if you really wanna hear the best of all the years of Bad Manners grab their Anthology.

Bim Skala Bim - Krinkle
Bim Skala Bim was one of the early "3rd Wave" bands. You gotta hear some of their songs sometime just feel like your listening collection is complete. They have stayed under the hat for their entire career in my opinion; it was years before I gave them a chance. But the music is solid and a timeless Ska sound. Worth a listen atleast

The Know How - Now in Technicolor/Happy Fun Robot Kill Time
I couldn't decide which album to list. Both albums are good examples of "3rd Wave" Ska-Punk. Technicolor goes for a more radio friendly pop (which isn't really a bad thing) and HFRKT stayed more to the tried and true Ska-Punk formula but it was still a decently solid sophomore album. They are now broken up but the music is solid and fun. Its easy to see how they seemed to gain over night success in the Ska scene.

Westbound Train - Transitions
Neo-Trad laid back Ska and Rocksteady; need I say more? Their music is tight and just very well written. This album is a perfect example of good musicians making good music. Catchy hooks, different/well thought out tonalities and solid writing. Good stuff..nay great stuff

Catch-22 - Keasby Night
What list of great Ska albums would this be without this album? The music maybe far stretched for the traditional feel of Ska, heck most songs feel almost un danceable. But the music is great and truly one of a kind (well till Streetlight Manifesto). Catch-22 never made an album like this again. Lost of different styles of music crammed into one huge idea. Its solid, its fun, its catchy...go buy it.

Suicide Machines - War Profiterring is Killing us All/A Match and Some Gasoline
Once again I couldn't pick one. Both of these albums show the Suicide Machines going back to their orginal feel of Hardcore/Punk mixed with catchy, fast, driving Ska. The political messages are well thought out (unlike many bands) and it doesn't wear thin. If you like true political post-punk but love having that upbeat Ska feel these albums are perfect.

The Skatalites - Ball of Fire
I felt the need to mention a Skatalites album. This album may not be their best, but it got me into traditional Ska (I started on 2-Tone actually). Its a good example of what Traditional Ska was all about. The songs follow the patterns of Swing and Blues and add that upbeat feel with a more pop sounding horn line. Its a good album but it can wear on you if its not your cup of tea. Worth a listen atleast! No matter what you should own a Skatalites album; I suggest Hi-Bop Ska for that retrospective look on The Skatalites

Attaboy Skip - Another Ep?
Attaboy Skip were one hell of a talented Ska band in Las Vegas back during the 3rd Wave craze. They release 2 albums and this was their last one. Its a fantastic album! The music is very well written and they are very talented musicians. The music does not sound like any other "3rd Wave" especially anything that was in the mainstream. Its a perfect blend of modern rock and Ska. You have probably heard them if you have heard this kick ass cover of Ghostbusters listed as being by NOFX, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies etc. These are the guys who did that cover. This album is a classic in terms of 3rd wave ska. Get it now!

Chris Murray - Raw
Its probably not a shock that I'd include this album. Or it might be if you are thinking (why this one of all the great 4-track albums?). I love this album for a few different reasons. Its great song writing first off; just the classic idea of song writing brought back. This really comes through too when it comes to the other reason I love it; it really is raw. The uber lo-fi feeling of this album (recorded on a walkman of sorts) is interesting. The fact the songs sound so good in such a setting shows how good the writing is. Maybe not a good starter album to get into Chris but a needed album

The Planet Smashers - Unstoppable
I remember when I hated the Planet Smashers. I've never liked the stereotypical goofy "3rd wave" band (if you notice no Aquabats or RBF on here). Thats what they were to me when I first heard them. But one day I saw their album No Self Control for 2 bucks at a local store. So just wanting to keep my collection up I bought it. I was surprised! They have matured alot; and its really apparent in this album. Unstoppable is a great album. It another great classic interpritation yet evolution of modern Ska. The songs vary from fast album Ska-Punk feeling to more mellow and more timless sounding. They have a new album coming out and I can't wait!

The Usuals - The Usuals
Another album that barely fits in. But its too good not to list! This was one of those 3rd wave bands that went in the other direction with a neo-trad feel to their music. But The Usuals seemd to keep that modern pop and driving ska feel, its an interesting thing. The female vocals are just the icing on the cake too, adding a very pleasing tonality/timbre. They released a second album in 2000 which is also a great listen but this is a must.

Mu330 - Ultra Panic
Not putting a Mu330 cd on here would be a crime! Some people may think another album belongs on here but I have to pick this one. To me this is the definitive sound of Mu330, this is what all their other albums were trying to do. The music has that great major yet minor sounding tonality that has become their tag and still has that amazing force that labeled them as Psycho Ska years ago. The big differnce here is that this album is more melodic than ever, but it never looses pulse and never looses force. Even when you hit the mellow pop song "Speedbump" it still chugs on. A great album for new listeners or fantatics!

The Toasters - Don't let the Bastards Grind you Down
The Toasters are considered the first American Ska band. Even if they aren't you can not deny their major contibution to bring Ska to America. This album kinda sums up all their style in one neat package. From fun instrumentals to melodic Electrified Blues type songs and even songs that point back to their original take on 2-Tone from Skaboom! The Ska never stops a neither does the great writing. A must have for anybody that likes Ska of any era!

The Hippos - Heads are Gonna Roll
The Hippos are a lesser known "3rd Wave" band. They started as stereotypical Pop-Ska band like RBF but when they got to this album things changed. This album kinda takes that RBF sound and mixes it with this Geek Rock feel (ala They Might Be Giants). Driving synth, smooth horns, lyrics about love and driving guitar describe this album. Pick it up for a fun listen! (no pun intended)

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Let's Face It
This may seem like an obvious or even too obvious additon but this album was a defining album for Ska in the 90's. The Bosstones kinda step away from that Skacore sound they founded and go for a more melodic feel but the idea is still their and this album is solid. All the songs are catchy and fun. Serious writing took place here and it shows. A must!

Dan Potthast - Eyeballs/Eat the Planet
I didn't want to double list because both these albums need to be on here. Dan's first album show off his raw musical ability and solid writing ability. The songs are melodic yet upbeat and oddly driving for an acoustic album. The lyrics are very well written (of course) in that style of his that says what it needs to be said but you're not sure how he did it. Eat the Planet is the unreleased album that you can only get on his tour right now. The songs on here have a backing "band" unlike his first album and unlike his second album this sticks to that Ska sound that made his first album so loveable.

Against All Authority - All Fall Down
A great example of Ska Punk in the late 90's. If you don't like that sound then don't get this album cause thats cut and dry what it is. The trumpet lines are simple but catchy the lyrics are standard gritty punk. The big thing about Against All Authority is the driving punk guitar that switches oddly well to this oddly melodic reggae/ska stlye sound. A fun album in the least.

The Chinkees - Searching for a Brighter Future
The Chinkees are a great politicaly based Ska band formed by Mike Park. The Chinkees have an interesting sound its Ska-Punk but its not. Its very melodic maybe not uber catchy but it kinda doesn't need to be. The tonality of the songs are what catch me. The album is fun, dancable, serious, political and ear friendly. All their albums are great and this one of the perfect summary of their work.

Buck-O-Nine - Twenty Eight Teeth
Another definitve album of that Ska-Punk sound. Buck-O-Nine have a great sound. Its a little stereotypical in its major tonality but they hide that well. The horn lines are catchy as are the lyrics and the guitar does just what it should, drive the song. Their true musical ability come out on songs like Jennifer's Cold (which slows down to a more Reggae feel) and Peach Fish (instrumental). Its worth every penny and due to the ever popular song "My Town" easy to find. They have an album coming out soon on Asian Man and I can't wait.

Honerable Mention:
The Right Aways - Initiate Sequance
The Bruce Lee Band - Beautiful World
Streetlight Manifesto - Everything Goes Numb
Spring Heeled Jack - Songs from Suburbia
No Torso - Several Brains
Mealticket - Lisa Marie
New York Ska Jazz Ensemble - (just pick up any album)
Tokyo Ska Paradise (you find an album you buy it)

Peace,
-Kev