Suburban LegendsInfectious (2007)self-released Reviewer Rating: User Rating: Contributed by: FatTony (others by this writer | submit your own) Published on August 10th 2007
I became increasingly dissatisfied with the direction the band was taking. I mean, they all thought Aaron Carter was a musical genius...seriously. So, they kicked me out.-Chris Batstone, former lead singer (kicked out in early 2002) I'll admit, 2003's Rump Shaker was a guilty pleasure. That rare "third-wave after third-wave was dead" album struck a chord with me. The music was derivative of the countless third-wave bands that'd come and gone, the lyrics vapid and hollow, and production that sounded like it was recorded in the men's room at the local Denny's. But I'll be damned if it wasn't a fun album that received its share of spins with the windows rolled down that summer. After countless lineup changes and the loss of tromboner Dallas Cook, the band released the 2006 EP Dance Like Nobody's Watching (or, if you live in Japan, the full-length Dance Like Nobody's Watching: Tokyo Nights). It marked a drastic change in the band's sound. Though it still had plenty of horns, it was all funk and disco and no ska. Unfortunately, Infectious followed in its footsteps. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Considering they've played more shows in Disneyland than they have outside of California, I shouldn't have expected much in the first place. That much time in such a sanitized environment is bound to take its toll on anyone. But I never took the above Aaron Carter quote seriously. I just thought Batstone was putting a humorous spin on being kicked out of the band. If this was the first album these guys had put out, I'd at least be able to write them off and forget they ever existed. But that's not the case, and the fact that I found their last album enjoyable and the fact that this album and the prior EP were almost four years in the making just makes this a slap in the face. That this also reeks of bandwagon-jumping doesn't help. These guys stuck with ska years after it was no longer profitable, and I admired that. But such a sudden shift in sound toward the likes of Cobra Starship and Men, Women & Children is too much to ignore. Honestly, the only good thing this album has going for it is that the production is infinitely better than Rump Shaker. But a polished turd is still a turd. Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
Suburban Legends has been amazing from the start, pre and post Vince. First of all, they sound nothing like Cobra Starship or any of the other "hop on the bandwagon" bands, and they're STILL just as original as they were before. Who cares if they sound ska anymore? Their music is fun their shows are fun and involved, and they're incredibly connected to their fans. I hate that people get all pissy when bands decide to take a different direction, if you don't like it, don't listen to it. But don't talk shit, it's stupid. band/their friends are so so clearly commenting on their own reviews its sad. at least have the dignity to do it in your own name and b) go to a website where someone is actually going to buy the record anyways... hmm. i'm not sure if this album sucks or not, but i'm more than positive that this review sucks a whole lot more. ive seen these guys a few times and i was never interested, but when put horrible music next to a review as slight and pathetic as this one, i'd choose something "really poppy" over that any day. Dallas must be rolling over in his grave. what really sucks worse than this album is my stinking suspicion that someone in the suburban legends is commenting on their own review. get a life guys... i smell a turd. Guys, guys. The Suburban Legends have ALWAYS sucked. Funk is what the Supertones devolved to right before they realized it was a terrible idea and broke up. the only "pop" music i'll be listening to anytime soon is Lily Allen, thanks. hey elephant man! Hey haters! Go listen to this album, its 100% non-ska! Its actually pop music! I'm sure you would love it. well... thats my opinion. if you like ska, you have bad taste in music. opinion. but a good one. i love ska including RBF, but this band is terrible. saw them open for Streetlight and RBF last year and i felt like i was watching a Kids Bop concert Bad taste? these comments have taught me that people with bad taste in music get really pissed when you bring up their bad taste in music. "Considering they've played more shows in Disneyland than they have outside of California." Bands fucking change. I didn't really like their last album that much... it was ok... they are not ska anymore though. This is straight up pop music; and really bad pop music at that. What happened to the old suburban legends? People talking about the "way they prance on stage" and how they've changed since Rump Shaker must not realize they still choreographed their sets back when that was their main release. The only thing that's changed is the music. Whether or not anyone likes the change in music is a different story. It doesn't matter if RBF's lyrics are depressing. The music is so sickeningly happy that I want to poke holes in my eardrums. ska has to be one of the worst genre of music. and it's funny that so many people on here agree. RBF is an easy target for stupid people. I really hope that one guy down there doesn't think that because of Reel Big Fish people think ska is "happy" music. RBF's lyrics are some of the most depressing shit ever. This band is fucking terrible. It's everything bad about the 3rd Wave wrapped up into a neat little package that's easy to hate. "It's very poppy" Who gives a shit. They're doing what they wanna do and still entertaining a hell of a lot of people. Good for them. Who gives a shit whether they tour or not. Since s/t and rump shaker, this band has fucking sucked. When I saw them at ISC last year, I felt embarassed for them, the way they pranced around on stage, all in pink like a bunch of fucking fairies playing some shit wannabe disco music. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Considering they've played more shows in Disneyland than they have outside of California, I shouldn't have expected much in the first place. That much time in such a sanitized environment is bound to take its toll on anyone." This CD was a dissapointment at first, but it definetly grows on you. okay, anonymous. i'll take your word for it! keep playing that trombone! "suburban legends and reel big fish are probably the only fuckin terrible ska bands out there" this band is why people think ska is so happy and retarded. suburban legends and reel big fish are probably the only fuckin terrible ska bands out there. this is like the backstreet boys doing ska. I couldn't agree with the review more. I love Rump Shaker and the EP before it. Fun senseless third wave ska-pop. I always would describe them as a family-friendly RBF, or the boy-band of ska. And the choreographed concerts were always fun. Dance Like Nobody's watching really brought out the disco undertones you could hear in the previous albums. It took some getting used to, but it's a decent album. This album though, is shit. It sounds like second-rate Sugar Ray. And it's a pity because I saw them open a date on the RBF/LTJ/SM tour like 3 weeks ago, and they sounded great. Probably because they didn't play anything off of this album. Oh, I get it. Since there is a Suburban Legends review you guys thought a Neill Cawley review would be too much gay for one day. FatTony, it appears taht you are dissing John Avila. People who play ska like to PICK IT UP. Play ska or GTFO. Agreed on all points. Seriously... fuck this band. It's not THAT bad. The first 3 songs and a few others are good for what they are, which is straight pop/rock/funk. That's not what you want to hear from a ska band, but it doesn't make the music any less good. | Features
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