album of the week: 5.5

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra

Walkin'

(2012)

why you'll love it: best ska band in the world!

why you'll hate it: this band never changes - is enough ska to kill a man

There has been a void in 2012 that I just could not put my finger on. A glaring absence in the first few months of the year… It wasn't until only a few days ago, I finally realized what was missing - a new release by PROFESSIONAL DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME SKA outfit: Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra.

Walkin' slots right into TSPO's monstrous discography. This would be a knock, if the band wasn't so constantly damn good at what they do, all the time! This is just another great album - hu-hum. Aside from not having a glaring motif for me to assemble a write-up around, the worst thing about this album is that two of the best songs on it aren't new. They're plucked from the two EPs released after their last full length album, World Ska Symphony (2010). Either way, "水琴窟 (SUIKINKUTSU)" is still an epic song, with piano playing good enough to make goosebumps.

Some of the best *new* songs on here are the rousing rock numbers. I like "Hungry Beast", especially its well placed guitar solo. It's a song that could have easily been a part of their set back when they were releasing action-packed albums like Full Tension Beaters (2000). "Return of Supercharager" is fun. So is "Boogie Stop Shuffle". A couple ballads grind things to a halt; but overall, unless you absolutely hate the sound of horns, Walkin' will at least make you understand why I talk a big game about how tight this band is every year. TSPO - still the kings of ska. WIth, I guess, The Slackers in a distant second.