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Stuck Lucky

Possum Soul (2009)
Ska and Reggae

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Brian
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on June 9th 2009

With their sophomore full-length (right?), Possum Soul, Stuck Lucky remain one of the more unconventional bands of ska-punk's current wave, though not necessarily its most creatively successful.

Opener "...And I Broke a Possum's Heart" begins with a somewhat ominous guitar strum before being another guitar apes it and a tasteful brass player joins the fold. Unfortunately, the song eventually becomes a bumbling, abruptly ended track that spouts off just one sung verse, trading off a gravelly Voodoo Glow Skulls-ish bark with a smoother singer. The band begins the song with such promise only to paint its second half by numbers. You'd hope the band would fare better in more straightforward territory with Track 2, "Eternity So Bright, Gotta Wear Shades," but it just sounds like a poor update on a less abrasive note off the Suicide Machines' Destruction by Definition.

What seems to often hurt the songs when the band try playing faster is how sluggish they sound, notably the drummer. His tempo doesn't seem to match the occasional hyperspeed of the vocals and the contrast is resultingly uncomfortable.

It ain't all bad. The more redeeming and notable moments come in the breakdown of "If You Are What You Eat, Then I'll Be You by Tomorrow"; the speedy upstrokes lacing "Paint These Walls"; the refreshing acoustic take "Deep Black Hole (Pt. 2)"; and the brass in "Unicorn Family Picnic" might elicit some casual whistling along. There's also "Officer Down," which has probably the strongest hook of the whole album. It doesn't really seem like a cop-hating song -- more so a portrait of piss-stricken poverty -- but its chorus somehow begs the Leftover Crack-loving 15-year-old in you to chant along. Still, this short handful of moments aren't impressive enough to save a whole album.

The packaging on this album is modest and brushed with a vintage sense, but it's a misleading impression. Stuck Lucky are stuck with this unfortunately unremarkable effort, though I do wonder if these songs translate better live.

STREAM
Eternity So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades
If You Are What You Eat, Then I'll Be You by Tomorrow
D...D...D...Devastation
Deep Black Hole (Pt. 1)
The Flies / Wake Up and Thrash

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mikeladwig (December 1, 2009)

Why would you review this album if you didn't like the first one?
You're just going out of your way to tell us that the band sucks, why be an asshole like that? This isn't some pop band on Universal.

I like the album. It's lively, energetic.

literamaniac (July 14, 2009)

I haven't heard the album yet, but I saw them live a couple of days ago and they can fucking tear it up in a live setting, I intend to order the album cuz Community's including it in this big 4 CD's for like 20 bucks package of their latest releases

hamonrye (June 11, 2009)

ATTN its1984:

Not at all, sir. I think I stated in the tennis shoes review that I hate ska, or something to that effect.

its1984 (June 11, 2009)

ATTN hamonrye:

I see you love Lemon Lime Tennis Shoes. Great choice in ska music.

inagreendase (June 11, 2009)

You know, I did give Public Access's 2 EPs positive reviews.

hamonrye (June 10, 2009)

ATTN its1984:

I am laughing very hard at your very stupid post.

Ska has always sucked, and I'm leaving the internet now.

its1984 (June 10, 2009)

Fuck this review! Every time this guy reviews anything remotely "ska", he ends up comparing it to The Suicide Machines and how nothing will ever measure up. They were a great band, but it doesn't mean that others are forbidden from playing a similar style. Look at all the shitty hardcore acts out there...

Anyway, this album is amazing. I love the new drummer. Some of the nicest guys, too. I saw them this past month with Brunt Of It at a house show in Boston; I can't wait to see them at Disaster Fest on July 11th with Fatter Than Albert and A Billion Ernies! I bet they sent in the new album for shits and giggles because I don't think they are too worried about being "punx".

ilikeilike (June 10, 2009)

I forget where I saw this band live, but they were terrible. Just checked out the songs on their Myspace page. Yep, still terrible.

ilovepie (June 9, 2009)

My top album of 2009, and one of the best ska-core albums out there. These guys are also normally really energetic live, but the last time I saw them their temporary drummer seemed to slow them down.

Douglas_is_rad (June 9, 2009)

I remember Stuck Lucky... Nashville skacore represent?