You can count the number of ska bands that I actively listen to on two hands. I still think I’m in recovery mode from the ska-craze of the late 90s, still jittery at the prospect of actually liking newly created ska music. In the case of BIG D AND THE KIDS TABLE, these guys are one of the few ska bands to survive that scene and persevere. And evolve. This point should not be understated. I’ve been lukewarm to ‘THE KIDS over the years because their haphazard brand of punk, ska, and dub, was heavy on the youthful enthusiasm (and alcohol) and light on songwriting refinement. Often, the band’s songs seemed to go on and on and on, and the band ended them when they seemingly got bored with the material. But the Joe Gittlemen produced Strictly Rude is a vastly different animal. As the title hints at, BIG D is loving the ska on this album. Fifteen grooving songs of balanced, instrumentally solid ska songs with punk and dub highlights. Bass lines churn, guitars sparkle, and a moderately used organ builds atmosphere. Singer David McWane has great presence throughout the album and does his best to make every chorus stick to the listener like apple butter. One of my favorite traits about Strictly Rude is that most of the songs are named after lyrics found in the corresponding tune. This stylistic bit has died off over the years as many bands have moved to more esoteric title offerings, but I think it’s something that helps the listener reinforce a connection the music. Songs like the peppy “Souped-Up Vinyl,” and the delightfully smooth title track immediately reverberate through your head as a few words become singed into your brain. Strictly Rude seems so oddly sophisticated for BIG D AND THE KIDS TABLE. That may seem like a backhanded compliment, but really, it’s the acknowledgment of a band moving forward to ‘the next level’ and having a grand time in doing so.

Side One Dummy

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