Big D And The Kids Table – Built Up From Nothing: The D Sides And Strictly Dub
Big D And The Kids Table – Built Up From Nothing: The D Sides And Strictly Dub CD (SideOneDummy)
Wow. ‘Built Up From Nothing’ is nothing short of a dream compilation for fans of Big D And The Kids Table, compiling 40 rare tracks onto 2 compact discs or one super-big and super-nice download. For those unaware, the band are Boston’s DIY ska-punk kings, and have been doing their thing since 1995 – which seems like an awfully long time ago at this point! More often than not, the band’s general sound is one of pop-punk – snotty vocals laid atop a rapid-fire riff-a-rama of guitars and a fast, bouncy beat – with a horn section. At times, they verge into pop-hardcore territory – with a horn section – not dissimilar to the mighty (and lovable) Murphys Law. Occasionally, there is a even bit of a hip-hop feel in both the vocals and the beats – with a horn section – but don’t let that scare you off (or get you too excited), because the band know what they’re doing, and what they’re doing is ska-punk. And they do it very, very well. Part one of this collection, ‘The D Sides’, is comprised of alternate versions of fan favorites and choice rare cuts interspersed with entertaining, humorous clips of various band members being interviewed about things like their band, their songs, their lives, and their preferred flavors of ice cream. Part two, ‘Strictly Dub’, is exactly that: mostly-killer dub remixes of tracks like ‘Strictly Rude’, ‘She Knows Her Way’, and ‘Rude Boy Likes A Girl’. While ‘Built Up From Nothing’ probably is not the best way for a newcomer to get introduced to Big D And The Kids Table, it definitely is an essential piece of history for longtime fans, as well as a cool collection from which to cull tracks for a party playlist for anyone holding an interest in ska-punk. The Impaler @impalerspeaks
