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ShareThe genre still has its share of fans, but a ska punk album in 2009 is at least a decade too late to hope for good reviews from the critics. For that you can blame a glut of late 90s cookie-cutter bands that left a bitter taste in the mouth of everyone but diehard fans.
Likely aware of this, State Radio augment their sound with some alt-rock, cow-punk and straightforward guitar pop. Unfortunately, the results are mostly uninspired. The reggae tunes are tolerable, but try not to cringe at the fake Jamaican accent Chadwick Stokes Urmston adopts for them. Maybe he thinks it lends the jams authenticity, but it has the opposite effect. The alt-rock tunes plod away predictably, and the attempts at pop work only slightly better.
On the bright side, their takes on Social Distortion-inspired cow-punk are actually pretty decent, and may provoke involuntary fist-pumping and pogoing (if you’re prone to such displays).
Top track: Knights Of Bostonia
State Radio rock out at the Mod Club Friday (November 6).
189 Church St, Toronto ON M5B 1Y7 | Telephone 416-364-1300 | Front Desk Hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm | email
State Radio is amazing, original and inspirational. They put on a great show Friday.
How can you possibly say that the Jamaican-like accent is having an opposite effect? It's what makes State Radio so original and easy to listen to. No matter how many times I hear their music I never get tired of it.
State Radio may not be popular now, but they have the potential to be a great band in the future. Their music stands out from the everyday rock that has become boring, unoriginal and barely distinguishable from the next song.
This band has taken a leap of faith to do something different, original and inspirational. They shouldn't be knocked for such, especially since their music is amazing.
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