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| Rx BanditsHalfway Between Here and There1999 Drive-Thru 
  Review by: Jay Porter See others by this writer RxBandits home page (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on January 23rd 2002 Ska/punk is weird. One element comes from the slums of Jamaica, the other from the slums of Britain. One is all about taking it easy, the other about rebellion and angst. However, when you combine third-wave ska with pop-punk, the result can be amazing. The RxBandits have the formula down perfectly. After hearing this CD at a friend's house, I was amazed by the tightness of the band, the catchiness of the songs, the quality of the recording, and the overall musicality. This is not cheap, throw-away pop-punk that sounds the same as every other band out there. The RxBandits are extremely original and creative. The album is SO fun to listen to because all of the songs are just good! I hear Sublime influences, and then there's some Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake thrown into the mix. The result is a totally original and exciting sound. My only complaint about the CD is that it isn't long enough. If you have any doubts, just listen to "What If." And if you can, download the whole song. It's the song that got me hooked on them in the beginning. The forbodingly simple bass line is accented by Matt Embree's punchy vocals before the whole thing breaks into a torrent of guitars and horns....jeez it's so good! See for yourself.... People who liked this also liked:           Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
I can tell a lot of people here smoke lots of crack. This album is a work of art. It is genius. It makes me ejaculate all over the floor. I hate this album, every song on here reminds me of one of their old songs, or someone elses song. Nice try guys, i'd say close but no cigar, but they wernt even close. This cd really sucks there are only 3 good stand out songs on here. Their new cd Progress is a it better than this, but even that one kind of blows. I'm probably going to get totally shit on for this, but what's wrong with liking ska?! Granted, there was an over abundance of it at a point; and just being a ska band doesn't make you good by any means, but having a ska influence can result in some great material. I love bands like Less Than Jake, The Suicide Machines, Rancid, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and yes, the RX Bandits. Just as it is ignorant to think any band with a ska sound is good, it's equally stupid to write any band off for the same reason. I wish more people would take music on a case by case basis and not make snap judgements based on a blanket hatred of an entire genre. As for this particular album, it's good, with a few moments of greatness, but still a long way off from the godliness I found Progress to be. Some ska is good people. And now, commence with taking a dump on my head..... pretty damn good except their newer cd "progress" is a little more origonal and more enjoyable to listen to. no ,they are not good, this cd reeks of crap. I can't believe people like this crap. that's a good point. why don't most reviews seem to include details on this band is different or a standout compared to other bands? can anyone explain how so many albums get a 9 or 10 on this site that are formulaic and at best standard fare? I would think bands should be able to come up with stuff that isn't a stale retread of stuff that came before. guess not. There are some good songs on here. I found the cd to be enjoyable, and if that's all your looking for this is a good cd to get. Rx Bandits are nothing different from the thousands of ska bands in SO. Cal. "Anyone who puts down pop punk is a heavy metaler" I wassnt pointing you out i was talking to everyone i posted that on alot of reviews because it was pissing me off, sorry if you took it personal. her empty needle is my unsharped sword....i stab i stab i stab, but i can't puncture.... its UNsharpened sword.. So Matt does have a herion problem??? I guess the lyric "Her empty needle is my sharpen sword/ I stab I stab wanting more" Hm.. who would of known. Anyone who puts down pop punk is a heavy metaler, because there is no such thing as a "hardcore punk band" hard core my ass, go listen to your hobastank crap. haha, right on josh....represent buddyhead.... Before I say anything, Jimi...dude...what's with stealing all of Buddyhead's sayings. I agree they are funny, but not quite as funny when you try and use em...brah. no, they truly are stuck up assholes and the lead singer is a heroin junkie and throwing shit at them is cool. This CD is not great, but some of the songs on it are, such as Andrea, Lost, and Cornered. Progress is better tenfold and is probably the most original punk album released in 2001. By the way, these guys actually are NOT assholes. I saw them twice over the weekend. It was my fifth and sixth times seeing em and they just get better. They are totally rad to the crowd. I've talked to the "asshole" singer every time and he's anything but. And as for the "badasses" that want to throw shit at them at Warped: grow the fuck up. If you don't like a band, don't go out of your way to watch them. You sound like a bunch of fuckin assholes. hum, that's funny...when i saw them in valpo, IN. they were all about hanging with the kids.... after you see what dicks they are you WILL want to throw any objects and/or small children at them. Their asshole attitudes towards their fans really take away from their playing. I bet if you hate them now, you will hate them more when you see them live. "One element comes from the slums of Jamaica, the other from the slums of Britain." no, it was a small tour they did at small independent local clubs only. About 1 month or so before the h20 show. hum, was that the tour with H2O and New Found Glory? i used to like these guys alot until i saw them when they played in cincy at the void a few months ago. Despite the fact that their music rocks, my image and level of respect for them was forever changed when i found out what a bunch of cocky, assholes they are. Especially that lead singer, all he did was stand on the stage and make fun of kids there. Some kid asked where the horn players were and he copped him an attitude and told them they were emo now and then just laughed in his face calling him a dumb shit. I think they were assholes to everyone their because no one even cared when they played and they just kept themselves locked in this little room all night. Like i said their songs and music still rock, but i cannot like a band and give them respect when they are such assholes. this album bores me...standard ska/pop/punk everyone has heard a million times... considering im a huge sublime fan, plus im ska's bitch, this album is one on regular rotation for me. some of the horn parts are just awesome, and i love the matt's voice. i think the ska influence and lyrics on progress are a little less energetic than this, but it's also got its good songs. This album might be over-rated, but Progress is incredible. overrated, the token ska/punk band on Drive-Thru. I like a couple songs though, so I cant really give a bad rating. |
