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Mustard Plug

In Black and White
2007
Hopeless

Mustard Plug - In Black and White (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Brian
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Published on September 11th 2007

So Reel Big Fish delivers a double album, No Doubt hints at a return to their roots, Less Than Jake just may head back to an independent label, Big D and the Kids Table releases a traditionally ska-laced effort to critical acclaim and now Mustard Plug is unleashing a new full-length, all in 2007. Is third wave ska the new black?

Eh, not really.

In Black and White is roughly what you'd expect from a veteran ska-punk act delivering their first album in a considerable amount of time (Mustard Plug's last proper, Yellow #5, dropped in 2002): totally competent, fairly well-written tunes that sound almost as good as they would have in 1997. Mustard Plug haven't exactly sharpened their hooks, pulled any new tricks or refined any of their tendencies entirely, but In Black and White is a "nice," decent effort for a genre that's got another two months for its long-awaited, serious jolt.

Mustard Plug's horn section is as tight as ever, offering alternately smooth and punchy layers to opener "Who Benefits?," which benefits itself from some standardized upstrokes during the verses, a mildly catchy chorus and some socially assertive subject matter. "Over the Edge" is cool too, since the band's surprising aggression causes it to bear similarity to the Suicide Machines (with a brass section, anyway). "Something New" and "Real Rat Bastard" are a little questionable since the lead vocals come off like the likely horrific love child of Fat Mike and Bowling for Soup's Jaret Reddick. "Copasetic" delivers the strongest chorus on the record, wrapped up in an invigorating, energetic flow. A couple songs pass by without so much as an interesting moment, though ("You Can't Go Back," for one).

In Black and White is consistent for the most part, merely hurt by a few soft spots that the band falter on. But when they are consistent, Mustard Plug do manage to write some solid ska-punk jams that prove there's still plenty gas in their tank.

Hit Me! Hit Me!

STREAM
Who Benefits?
Time to Wake Up
Something New
On and On

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Posted by Cox_Attack on 2007-10-09 17:19:26
My Score:

I meant to give it 4 stars. My bad. This album rules!

Posted by Neill_Cawley on 2007-09-13 13:19:57

Mad Caddies.

Posted by RedScare on 2007-09-12 21:03:01

Whoa, man. So Oldpunker hates everything except 90's ska. That's not really old or punk.

Posted by 86themike on 2007-09-12 14:33:47

"I'm failing to see where anyone is linking Streetlight Manifesto here..."

it's in the review itself

Posted by sick_nick on 2007-09-12 12:44:23
My Score:

Anyone see these guys at Ska Weekend? They were pretty tight, but the Slackers were the best that day.

Posted by telegraphrocks on 2007-09-12 11:26:15
My Score:

Oldpunker... yes, Hepcat. Score's for Hepcat.

Posted by onegirlarmy on 2007-09-12 10:44:25

I'm failing to see where anyone is linking Streetlight Manifesto here...

Posted by baseball on 2007-09-12 10:15:49

i'm really digging the 5 songs i've heard from this, gonna have to try and pick this up today

the ska-punk of 2007 has been great

Posted by MikeStupid on 2007-09-12 08:54:04
My Score:

"Copasetic" is one of my favorite songs I've heard all year.

Posted by Oldpunkerforever on 2007-09-12 07:41:38
My Score:

Im with telegraphrocks, new buck-o is better, this has its moments though. I would still listen to the slackers/hepcat/general rudie more than this as they seem much more timeless than this style-oldpunker-

Posted by Matthew330 on 2007-09-12 01:19:18

"RBF released a double album?"

Yeah, a double Live album.

Posted by pdxkid on 2007-09-11 23:53:15

Ska is a horrible genre of music. Ska-Punk is pretty bad but it is way better than ska. Punk and Hardcore is where the party is at.

Posted by punk_rawk_show on 2007-09-11 23:31:33

Got the cd yesterday, doesnt sound overly great from first listen. Hopefully it will grow on me. Go ska

Posted by kirbypuckett on 2007-09-11 22:53:12

Dave Brigade is stoked!

- Kirby

Posted by fallingupwards84 on 2007-09-11 22:12:23

RBF released a double album?

Posted by chipsahoycookie on 2007-09-11 21:15:03
My Score:

best mustard plug album ever. my only problem with it is probably is the rat bastard song. sounds like it's trying to hard to be a huge singalong song and it's trying to put too much emphasis on the words "rat bastard." kind of cheesy song, but it's not that bad. anyway, this album rules. much better than yellow #5. maybe that's because the production is much better, but i think the songs are stronger and the playing is a little better. definitely buy this gem.

Posted by klonny on 2007-09-11 20:58:46
My Score:

Crazy awesome comeback off Yellow #5.

Posted by Cox_Attack on 2007-09-11 19:37:40
My Score:

Score is for the album. Best one they ever recorded. I give one and a half to the review. Linking Streetlight? Mutha fucka please. Seriously man, this cd is great and has some really catchy hooks.

Posted by dodger on 2007-09-11 18:48:40

"this review didn't need a link to Streetlight news. the ska scene does not need a release from them to be back in the spotlight."

100% with you on that one. There are a number of excellent ska bands in North America right now. Streetlight is not the end-all of third-wave ska. If I had to pin that down, it would go to the Planet Smashers anyway.

At least they never had to cop out with a rerecording of old material because their bandleader takes years to write a dozen songs.

Posted by christian on 2007-09-11 18:11:54
My Score:

"On and On" is a great song.

Posted by 86themike on 2007-09-11 18:04:42

this review didn't need a link to Streetlight news. the ska scene does not need a release from them to be back in the spotlight.

Posted by skolarx on 2007-09-11 17:55:07

they haven't been inactive for 5 years, they just haven't released any new material. they were touring a lot during that time, though i could be mistaken since i live in Detroit and they play here at least twice a year since its an hour or two from grand rapids.

Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2007-09-11 17:39:15
My Score:

Love this band.

Hate their name.

Posted by telegraphrocks on 2007-09-11 17:38:32
My Score:

Nah, the new Buck-O-Nine is definitely better.

This is just slightly better than Yellow #5, but that doesn't say much at all.

Posted by AlmostPunkENough on 2007-09-11 17:31:21
My Score:

i'll be the only person to say this is better than the new Buck-O-Nine... ok, maybe it's not, but they're pretty damn equal.

Posted by Chillin219 on 2007-09-11 17:06:08
My Score:

Definitely better than 7. Does have a couple of moments it would have been better off without, but worth more than it's given.

The opening track is brilliant and makes you wonder how long it's been since these guys were active, because it does NOT sound like they've been inactive for 5 years. Something New is full of quality and is one of the best songs on the record (in my opinion). Very good release.

Posted by skaboom on 2007-09-11 17:05:39
My Score:

This is pretty damn good. I wasn't super interested in Yellow #5, and then they sort of dropped off the face of the earth for a few years, I'm glad that these guys are bringing it back. A great year for ska, indeed.

Posted by niveK82 on 2007-09-11 16:58:38
My Score:

Better that the review leads you to believe

Posted by KlashedKi on 2007-09-11 16:41:56
My Score:

Score is for Ska in 2007.