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The Bruce Lee Band is back! Sort of.

The band first released a self-titled full-length back in 1996 featuring Mike Park on vocals and the musical stylings of Roger, Chris, and Vinnie of Less Than Jake fame. Almost 10 years later, Mike Park decided to record another album under the moniker, this time with the talent of the boys from Rx Bandits behind him (minus tromboner Chris Sheets). Nothing against Less Than Jake, but Rx Bandits are tremendous musicians, so I found myself really looking forward to this release. Yet for some reason, I never got around to picking this up until just recently.

Simply put, there isn't a bad song on this EP. The only song I'm not too crazy about is the hidden track, which is just Park and an acoustic guitar. The song sort of reminds me of the old Bruce Lee Band, but it's not bad. It just doesn't really fit with the rest of the album. I guess that's probably why it's a hidden track.

But the other five songs will sit perfectly with any ska fan. I'd liken the sound more to up-tempo Hepcat than Rx Bandits, who take a more subdued and perhaps conventional approach to the ska sound than on their own albums. But they do a fantastic job with it. In fact, the best song on the EP is the mostly-instrumental "Go Feet Go," which conjures up an almost surfing music flavor with the fantastic saxophone and organ work while remaining identifiably ska.

Bottom line, this EP is well worth the price. I can't stop listening to it. It's a perfect EP for summertime. My only gripe (and the only reason it's not 5 stars): I wish it'd been a full-length.



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    Posted by pooface on 2006-07-15 01:47:57

    Hi Parks.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 15, 2006 at 12:48 PM (EDT)

    Thanks for commenting mom.

    Mike Park

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 at 5:11 PM (EDT)

    This is the greatest record ever made. The only things that come EVEN CLOSE to this record in terms of cultural importance, passion, social commentary, and sheer musical genius are the other releases by Mike Park. MIKE PARK IS GOD.

    And to think, he nobly made this while upholding the Korean tradition of living at home with his parents. Not only is Mr. Park an incredibly gifted artist, he's a credit to his heritage. Mike Park has taught me how to live. We can ALL benefit from his example. By contributing to our lives with such passion and focus, Park has become the embodiment of altruism. Without Park, I have no reason to live.

    Posted by Not-to-Regret on 2006-06-13 16:52:29
    My Score:

    I'm not too familiar with Mike Park's material but I ordered this CD anyways being a rx bandits/ska fan. I found three of the six tracks to be too poppy for my liking, maybe it's his vocal style. But the song Go Feet Go! kicks ass.

    Posted by branden on 2006-06-13 15:53:34
    My Score:

    score is for mr hanalei. ruling song

    Posted by hubitcherkokov on 2006-06-13 14:47:49

    FatTony - I agree with you, I'd rather have a full-length than an EP, but at the same time, if every song is great I can't quite see the point of knocking off points just because it lacks a few other songs. That's just me, though. Anyway, nice review.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 11:35 AM (EDT)

    great fucking cd. better than mike parks solo stuff imo

    Posted by chipsahoycookie on 2006-06-13 10:14:52
    My Score:

    great ep. soooooo much better than the old full length. highly recommend this. it's fuckin cheap, no excuses.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 9:33 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Last post was me.

    - Kirby

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 9:32 AM (EDT)

    Great little EP.

    On a side note, I found an original copy of the first Bruce Lee Band record the other day for $2.50! The non-Asian Man Records version.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 9:13 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Great CD, but the LTJ version is far superior.

    "Gerry, Gerry!"

    Posted by primeevil7 on 2006-06-13 08:39:00
    My Score:

    Seriously, this is an EP worthy of your immediate purchase!

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 7:24 AM (EDT)

    good review but LTJ version > RX anything

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 4:36 AM (EDT)

    i've never heard this band but i really enjoy that a band named after bruce lee is on asian man records.

    Posted by FatTony on 2006-06-13 02:44:33
    My Score:

    Hubitcherkokov: Simply put, I'd rather have 50 minutes of music instead of 15. Generally, I'm not a big fan of EPs. And with the consistency and quality of this one, I'd be interested in seeing if they could maintain that over the course of a full length album. So hopefully someday we'll see a full length from this incarnation of the Bruce Lee Band.

    Posted by Hubitcherkokov on 2006-06-13 02:34:53

    "Don't Sit Next To Me..." was on the first full-length.

    To the reviewer - Good review, but why would you knock points off because it's not a full album? That doesn't make a lick of sense.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 2:33 AM (EDT)

    It isn't Don't Sit Next To Me...

    It's an untitled solo Mike Park track.

    Don't Sit Next.... is on the first Bruce Lee Band record.

    Posted by skaboom on 2006-06-13 01:44:30

    Wasn't the acoustic track at the end Don't sit next to me because I'm asian? That's got to be my favorite song he's ever recorded with any band.

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