CD: Skavoovie & The Epitones - Fat Footin'

TRACK LISTING 1. Cat Juice
2. Subway Juice
3. Nut Monkey
4. Parakeet
5. Batman Theme
6. Old Man of the Mountain
7. Fat Soul
8. Solomon Grundy
9. Cornbread
10. One Eyed Giant
11. Elegy
12. Sonic Boom
13. Hi-Ball
14. She Sure Can Cook
15. Walking Home

AMG EXPERT REVIEW: (Four Stars) Skavoovie & the Epitones' Moon Ska debut is an auspicious one, even if it shows that the band has some room for growth. Their strengths are several: a drummer who sounds like he has a Ph.D. from "Rock Steady University," a large and tight horn section, and an uncommon facility with punchy tunes and attractive arrangements. "Cat Juice" features a head the Skatalites would have killed for, and "Sonic Boom" is the ska catch phrase of the decade. There's also a fun arrangement of "Solomon Gundy." The band does, however, have a couple of significant weaknesses as well. Unfortunately, they tend to fall flat (literally) in the vocals department. The band members seem to sense this, and focus, wisely, on instrumentals; the problem there is the lack of any distinguished soloists in the band. Every track opens with a bouncy, waist-winding groove and a brilliant head played with elegant energy, but then the solos start and you stop paying much attention because there's not much to hear. Then the out-chorus catches your ear again in time to catch the next song, and the process repeats itself. It's not the most satisfying listening experience; still, this album gives the band a solid foundation on which to build. — Rick Anderson