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The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Let's Face It
1997
Mercury / Universal

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Let's Face It (Cover Artwork)

Review by: CrookedSuperhero
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Side One Dummy Records (link)

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Published on March 11th 2005

As much as I’d love to start this review with a funny anecdote connecting me to the Bosstones in any way, sadly, I have none. So I’m gonna plough on and get to the point, hopefully saving you a couple of minutes of your life and giving you fresh motivation to read the review and argue below.

This is the Bosstones' fifth album, and was released a good three years after Question The Answers. In this gap they ditched the roughness of their recordings, lost a bassist, softened a growl and gained the same bassist back. This resulted in a clean, catchy and platinum masterpiece.

I reckon this album was the make or break album for the Bosstones, at least in terms of being on a major label. Before this album they seemed to be a band that was on a thin rope, in severe danger of dropping of the radar, in a mainstream audience's eyes. After, they became million-selling playas, before releasing the substandard Pay Attention. It's no surprise this is the album that smashed the Bosstones into popular ville. It's their poppiest, catchiest, friendliest and most accessible album, and also features "that" song. The first single to be released of this album was "The Impression That I Get," an extreme contender for "the song that sticks in your head FOREVER" award.

The album also loses the "party" edge of past albums. No longer does it sound like the songs have been recorded in a bar surrounded by friends, but the slick production gives me the image of a cold, metal recording room, of which you need a key card to access and a pass to speak to the band. And of course, this was the first album where Dicky's trademark growl really began to fade. Nevertheless, these songs are still extremely well-written and structured, breaching topics as diverse as intolerance of racists ("Let's Face It"), alcoholism ("Another Drinkin' Song") and oil that is royal ("Royal Oil"). And, despite the production and obvious successes at making it sound catchy, most of these songs contain a serious message that few bands can put across in such an accessible way. Lyrics such as "He didn't hit me for a home, or hit me up 'cause he was cold, he was addicted to drugs, and I could see that in his eyes" still deliver a potent story of how Dicky was beaten up by a drug user for a fix, but how he still believes that the user needed more help than he did. Truly great songwriting.

Despite these small flaws, the album still manages to maintain the Bosstones' record of never putting out a bad album, and serves as another constant reminder of how this band is still the best ska band ever. The plaid suits only sweeten the deal.

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Posted by readmag on 2006-06-10 22:25:32

Actually, the Bosstones spawned Avoid One Thing, Chubby, Nate Albert's new punk band, among other crappy things no one cares about. So your point still holds.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 9, 2005 at 3:36 PM (EDT)

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 17, 2005 at 11:40 AM (EST)
My Score:

haha this place is really comin through w/ bosstones reviews the past few months. lol. love it. omg. pick it up pick it up! chchchcchch chchchchc! skank skank skank!

its 97 and i'm in highschool, i have a wallet chain and RBF and these guys are my fav. bands. twilight zone kids. twilight zone.

paul

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 at 1:43 PM (EST)

Hey you fucking rude boys, quit arguing over which dead ska band is better. Theyre all dead, and thats the important thing.

Praise allah that ska is over.

Posted by Cos on 2005-03-15 16:17:18
My Score:

"To whoever said Slaptstick is skapunk and bosstones are just ska.. you really missed the point. Bosstones are "ska-core" or even "ska-metal" if you really want to get particular.. "ska" would be stuff like The Toasters, Madness, etc."

Don't get into semantics about labeling ska. Its too confusing. TECHNICALLY, the Toasters are 3rd Wave ska (or a second wave 2Tone act) and the Madness are a 2Tone band, who were the group of bands that took ska and applied a punk aesthetic after the first wave of punk in England. Ska (or traditional Ska) is stil the Skatalites or Hepcat.

But saying that anything is "ska-metal" is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. The Bosstones are ska-core. They pretty much invented the term, though Murphy's Law beg to differ.

--Cos
PS. This album is fucking fantastic

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 14, 2005 at 10:53 PM (EST)

88 fingers owned

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 14, 2005 at 4:07 PM (EST)

To whoever said Slaptstick is skapunk and bosstones are just ska.. you really missed the point. Bosstones are "ska-core" or even "ska-metal" if you really want to get particular.. "ska" would be stuff like The Toasters, Madness, etc.

That said, Bosstones were definitely the best ska-core/punk/metal band of the 90's, followed closely by slapstick who made up for their lack of instrumental prowess with sheer catchiness and energy.

And everything the guys from slapstick have done since breaking up has by far paled in comparison. Alkaline and Larry don't even come close.

And to get even further off the topic, 88 Fingers Louie was also better than Alkaline, but not better than Rise Against, which means RA > A3.

I really shouldn't post on here when I'm this bored.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 14, 2005 at 11:19 AM (EST)
My Score:

Wasn't this their first "Clueless" cameo album?

NO -

Posted by thirtyseconds on 2005-03-14 04:17:38

Shit... only just read this review. Good job Crook.

Posted by readmag on 2005-03-13 17:06:17

This album was one of the greatest disappointments of my life when it first came out. I have never completely recovered.

That said, it still beats any skapunk that came out after it**, though that might not be saying much.

**with the exception of Planet Smashers' Mighty, the best ska album over the past 5 years.

Posted by theundergroundscene on 2005-03-13 13:46:54
My Score:

the last minute and a half of "another drinkin' song" could be the best ska moment of all time

there is NOTHING that beats that horn part

that said, this is the best ska band of all time

and the bosstones at their worst are better than most bands at their best

Posted by CrookedSuperhero on 2005-03-13 05:33:26
My Score:

It's not out of the question, but if it is gonna happen it'll probably be a while.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 12, 2005 at 11:15 PM (EST)

Are these guys trully finished? I know Dicky is doing the radio gig and Joe has the crappy Avoid One Thing going. But is a reunion out of the question? Anyone?

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 12, 2005 at 10:53 PM (EST)

'Twas a pretty good album. Not as good as "Pay Attention," especially the one that was released on double colored vinyl and featured four unreleased songs.
And Slapstick rocks my socks. And did anyone ever listen to Jeffries Fan Club?

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 12, 2005 at 8:56 PM (EST)

this is pretty strange seeing this review because out of the blue i have been pulling out my bosstones CDs and havent listen to them in years. I think this CD is really by far one of there best and its rock solid....person favorite..nevermind me

Posted by ZDP on 2005-03-12 19:20:03
My Score:

I bought this today for 3 dollars. Best buy of my entire week.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 12, 2005 at 5:23 PM (EST)
My Score:

Smoke weed forever!!!

Posted by Crookedsuperhero on 2005-03-12 14:20:27

Boo-berns.

Posted by boba_fett on 2005-03-12 14:11:52
My Score:

boo-herns.

Posted by Crookedsuperhero on 2005-03-12 13:06:09
My Score:

Below the Bosstones and above Reel Big Fish.

Hope this helps.

Posted by boba_fett on 2005-03-12 12:58:56
My Score:

where does operation ivy fit in then? link 80?

Posted by Crookedsuperhero on 2005-03-12 07:11:58

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 12, 2005 at 5:47 AM (EST)

Not their best I don't think, but still pretty fucking good, especially "Rascal King"

Joe

Posted by CrookedSuperhero on 2005-03-12 05:18:02
My Score:

The Bosstones had staying power.

Posted by joeg on 2005-03-12 02:11:17

"Mighty Mighty Bosstones have spawned:
----------------------
For that simple fact you have to respect what Slapstick did. And they wrote some pretty damn good songs. And their reunion show at the Fireside when I was in high school changed my life. Bosstones lost it ("it" being what decifired them from every other ska band pumped out during the late 90's.) after "Question the Answers"

Who cares that the Bosstones didn't spawn any new and incredible bands? Head to head, Bosstones are the kings of skacore. Even if the Bosstones lost it after QTA as you say, the 5 records they put out to that point outweigh any and all output from Slapstick.

Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2005-03-11 23:41:55
My Score:

Good record, but hasn't stood the test of time in my collection the wat "Question the Answers" has.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 11, 2005 at 11:16 PM (EST)
My Score:

Gross! This score is for Slapstick & the Chicago legacy created in their wake-

Barkley

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 11, 2005 at 8:21 PM (EST)

I've honestly never listened to slapstick so i won't comment on how they compare to the bosstones. But, the Bosstones did not lose "it" after question the answers, even though i do enjoy their first four albums overall more than their last 3.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 11, 2005 at 7:11 PM (EST)
My Score:

Slapstick has since spawned:
1. Tuesday
2. The Broadways
3. Alkaline Trio
4. The Lawrence Arms
5. Duvall
(Their drummer Rob Kellenberger sat in all over Chicago for jazz sessions also).

Mighty Mighty Bosstones have spawned:

----------------------

For that simple fact you have to respect what Slapstick did. And they wrote some pretty damn good songs. And their reunion show at the Fireside when I was in high school changed my life. Bosstones lost it ("it" being what decifired them from every other ska band pumped out during the late 90's.) after "Question the Answers"

Posted by boba_fett on 2005-03-11 18:57:56
My Score:

fuck man. whats with all the slapstick hating? i never said i hated the bosstones. i love them, i just like slapstick more.

anybody who says slapstick sucks has no idea what they're talking about.

Posted by UberShep on 2005-03-11 18:15:33

"actually, not only fuck slapstick, but fuck larry arms too. overhyped mediocre rabble rabble rabble rabble"

I couldn't agree more.

Posted by Crookedsuperhero on 2005-03-11 18:06:20
My Score:

Hell, maybe if Slapstick released another few albums i might agree. But they didn't.

Posted by boba_fett on 2005-03-11 17:26:34
My Score:

fine then. lets qualify a few things:

slapstick = ska-punk
bosstones = ska

that said i prefer slapstick.

Posted by CrookedSuperhero on 2005-03-11 17:14:39
My Score:

Well, i just listened to it. Sadly, Bronzing The Garbage came on after it and utterly destroyed it.

Posted by boba_fett on 2005-03-11 16:56:06

just listen to almost punk enough and tell me that that isnt one of the greatest ska songs ever.

Posted by boba_fett on 2005-03-11 16:54:57
My Score:

damn all you haters! damn you!!!

Posted by CrookedSuperhero on 2005-03-11 15:51:54

actually, not only fuck slapstick, but fuck larry arms too. overhyped mediocre rabble rabble rabble rabble

Err, no. Slapstick are no Bosstones, but they were pretty damn good. Can't really compare the Arms, but they are pretty fantasic in their own right.

Posted by swingline on 2005-03-11 15:43:46

actually, not only fuck slapstick, but fuck larry arms too. overhyped mediocre rabble rabble rabble rabble

Posted by joeg on 2005-03-11 15:11:53

slapstick doesn't hold a candle to the bosstones. not even close.

Posted by CrookedSuperhero on 2005-03-11 15:00:45

Bosstones are better than Slapstick. Anyday.

Posted by swingline on 2005-03-11 14:51:02

holy shit. i've been listening to this album non stop the past 2 weeks. best ska band ever. fuck slapstick

Posted by boba_fett on 2005-03-11 14:49:21

i dunno man... i think slapstick gets the best ska band ever title in my books. bosstones are number 2.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 11, 2005 at 1:31 PM (EST)

I gotta say that I think these guys kept getting better with age. As "cold' as the production could be, the band had a knack for making everything sound completely refreshing and new, even in a genre that had been done by so many bands, and by themselves for ages. I stand by my opinion that "A Jacknife to a Swan" was their best (and last) and was unfairly overlooked.

Posted by CrookedSuperhero on 2005-03-11 13:12:02
My Score:

royal oil is about hash... dick.

Damn, i really thought it was about oil that is royal. Cunt.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 11, 2005 at 1:02 PM (EST)

royal oil is about hash... dick.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 11, 2005 at 12:39 PM (EST)
My Score:

Probably my least favorite album of theirs. It Definately has it's moments, now that i think of it more than i probably realized. Also, it will always have a special place in my heart because "impression" introduced me to what would quickly become my all-time favorite band. Overall I just don't enjoy this album as much as their others.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 11, 2005 at 10:45 AM (EST)
My Score:

This and Jacknife To A Swan are my personal favourites of theirs.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 11, 2005 at 9:57 AM (EST)

eh this one was kinda stinky - and, no - not just cos it was their coming-out party...

they're gay?

Posted by CrookedSuperhero on 2005-03-11 03:06:58
My Score:

" lost a bassist, softened a growl and gained the same bassist back."

I know Joe has always been their bassist, but he did leave for a short time in between albums, although nothing was released without him.

I only rated this an 8 in comparison to the other Bosstone albums, this is kinda like their own scale. I still believe that all Bosstone albums blow away some of this 'ska' that is brought out these days. I originally started with the intentention of giving it a 9, but i listed too many petty little flaws to justify it too myself at the end.

Again, Pay Attention was only substandard compared to their other albums, as it's the only album i can think of with any filler songs, and lets face facts, it had a good few filler songs.

I love this album, just like i love all their albums. But this is still a Bosstones 8.

And i forgot to mention, Another Drinkin' Song is clearly the best song on here.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 11, 2005 at 2:02 AM (EST)

Pay Attention was only substandard in garnering cash. i love that album and find that its better than Lets Face It.

Posted by Rawls_with_Balls on 2005-03-11 01:19:33
My Score:

Even if you discount the songs we all got sick of years ago, there are still some greats here folks. "Another Drinking Song" will always take me back to a time and a place without ever seeming dated. Can't ask for much more than that.

Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2005-03-11 01:05:10
My Score:

I had this on casette for years before I finally broke down and rebought it on CD. It's awesome.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 11, 2005 at 1:03 AM (EST)

Wasn't this their first "Clueless" cameo album?

Posted by joeg on 2005-03-11 00:39:51
My Score:

I know all the pre-LFI fans hate this record and after hearing all their records, I'd agree this is probably one of their weakest efforts. But it doesn't mean it's bad. It's still a strong record with some great songs and I'll always have a soft spot for this b/c it got me into ska and even hardcore. This is my favorite band of all time.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 11, 2005 at 12:16 AM (EST)

favorite band ever

Posted by Fuzzy on 2005-03-11 00:14:21

Joe Gittleman has, is, and will always be the Bass Fiddleman for the Bosstones. I don't know where you got that from. As much as I usually agree with you, this review is kinda whack. LFI was a tough pill to swallow at first for Bosstones fans, but it grows on you. The production is very warm, given time, and this disc has some of their crunchiest and mellowest tunes all at once.