THE BUSTERS have released a new album again.
The band has now been around for 31 years, and “Straight Ahead“ is the 19th album that the men from Wiesloch and the surrounding area released on 01.12.2017 through their own label Ska Revolution Records.
This year, the band had to cope with the change of a singer. Dr. Ring Ding, or Richie Alexander as he is known in THE BUSTERS, has stayed on board, but Ron Marsmann has left after 12 years. Joe Ibrahim takes his place.
Otherwise, not much has changed with THE BUSTERS.
The band still plays laid-back, cool ska with rock, punk, and pop influences. Here and there, reggae and dancehall are added. THE BUSTERS have perfected their style to such an extent that you can immediately tell when listening that it is a song by THE BUSTERS. However, this has been noticeable for over ten years.
A curse and a blessing at the same time.
Those who like THE BUSTERS will naturally enjoy this album as well. Those who have not been able to connect with the band so far will not like this album either.
With that, the review could actually end.
However, I would like to add a few more lines.
For some, THE BUSTERS may have existed for so long that one considers whether to go to a concert again or even now again.
It is always nice, isn't it?
The band has been getting into their well-heated tour bus at almost the same time every year, namely in the cold season, and travels back and forth across the republic to bring warmth, good mood, and physical exercise in the form of dance movements to the people. The band has been doing this for 31 years! A band that cannot be broken, and why? Because we, the fans, are always there. If we stop going to concerts, the band will stop playing concerts too. And what is more beautiful than dancing ska in a hot hall, in a good mood and lightly dressed, feeling like you are in the Caribbean for a few hours?
What is there to argue against?
Musically, THE BUSTERS are in their own league anyway. There’s no need to discuss that. All good musicians who know what they are doing.
Lyrically... well, some lyrics on “Straight Ahead“ revolve around the band, ska itself, and the vibes that the music creates. It all leans very much towards “feel-good music.” However, there are also a few political and socially critical lyrics included. The band, which has been advocating “Ska against racism” since its inception, also takes a clear stance against it on this album.
The album comes in a stylish digipack with all the lyrics. Something that some bands have started to neglect.
The tour of THE BUSTERS starts on 27.12.2017 and will make stops across the republic on weekends until 24.02.2018. The tour dates can be found on the band's homepage or on Facebook.
