Settle down everyone and let me recite an ancient story. A long time ago a bunch of punks talked about Anarchy, sniffed glue and squatted in a condemned block of flats in London. They were generally angry at the world and hated everything. One day they discovered someone had moved in next door, intrigued they went to see who their neighbors were. To their surprise it was a bunch of reggae musicians who were smoking some medicinal herbs. They invited the punks in and gave them their homemade cigarettes and played them some soothing music. One of the punks said, "I feel funny", the second one said "I like this music" and a third with an inspired look in his eye said, "Man we should get a horn section!". Thus was born Ska and everything was well with the world, and sales of glue dropped substantially.
Ok, before anyone jumps on my case about historical accuracy that is not how Ska originated, but it is basically how the Ska that so many young American bands are relating to started. The problem is some of these bands are not very good at it. The most successful of them, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, are pretty talented, but every time I see their frontman I wonder why Suggs (Madness Singer) has not sued for theft of clothing style, facial expression, gestures, vocal imitation, dance moves, crowd interaction and probably soul.
Then there are New York’s The Loose Nuts. Pure unadulterated Ska fun with the Punk influence played up to the max, and the ability to write solid little pop songs. Most bands I review have as little chance of making an impact on MTV as I have of buying everyone I went to college with back that pint I owe them. The Loose Nuts are different, the albums best track "Wishen" has already been featured on the soundtrack to the teen sex comedy "American Pie". They all look about seventeen, the Trumpet player is female and they do possibly the greatest cover of "Tomorrow"(That song from Annie) in history.
In other words they have a decent change of becoming the next big thing, they are at least as talented as Kid Rock, so why not?
The Album clocks in at under thirty minutes, and that is counting the extra time before you reach the "semi-hidden" track. Nothing is particularly original but it is presented with such fun and swagger that it really does not matter. They are suprisingly tight for a seven piece, and move with ease between the laid back parts to the more rampant sections. Lyrically they are a riot, check out "Glue in F#", their tirade against getting carded whilst buying glue.
Both the horn section and the Guitarist are way better you would expect from a band of this type. The singer has a voice that doesn’t always carry as well over the music as it should, but this is a minor fault, and to be honest who cares in a band with such a strong punk background. They also seem to have an excellent sense of humor, check out the biographies on their website, or the reason given on the packaging for the lack of printed lyrics.
With the right promotion The Loose Nuts have a great chance of stepping up a level, hopefully without loosing their youthful sense of fun. Even if they don’t they can be justifiably proud of this record, as a debut it manages to be both naïve and polished, a rare combination. It makes me want to steal a car and drive to New York just on the chance they are playing live. Recommended.

Band Website | Contact The Loose Nuts | Give us Feedback on Review