The fathers of ska-core, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, recently found some of their unreleased and lost material. In honor of such a find the band decided to put out Medium Rare and also add some classic tracks along with a couple new songs as well. This CD was released through the bands' own label Big Rig records.
Formed in Boston over 20 years ago, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones took ska to a new level. Thanks to most members coming from hardcore bands and their love for 2-tone ska the band created ska-core. This faster, more punk rock style of ska had a slow beginning but soon took over the nation and the band became widely acknowledged.
This CD is full of tracks that never made it or were placed on the back burner for other choice cuts. The CD also includes new material recorded by the band since 2002. It is still unknown if the band plans on reuniting as they took a hiatus in 2003. Regardless it is great to see another CD rise from one of Boston’s greatest bands.
Starting off the 13-track CD is one of their new recordings, “This List.” As soon as lead singer Dicky Barrett starts bellowing, I am instantly reminded of the band's greatness. The song is catchy, upbeat, and proves that the band has not missed a beat. After hearing this song I really hope this band decides to re-group and continue recording.
"The Meaning" is a B-side from the band’s 2000 release Pay Attention. Not sure why they decided not to put this on the album originally. It sounds great and I love the horns. Hearing it made me want to go find my flight jacket and go skanking.
“Don’t Worry Desmond Dekker” is more than a song, it is a eulogy. This is another new recording by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones dedicated to one of the pioneers of 2-tone ska Desmond Dekker. A lot of bands may have paid tribute to Desmond Dekker with a line about him in their songs, but this entire song dedicated to the Jamaican tops them all. It is a thank you song and a remembrance to a short lived genre of much that would later influence many. I especially like the lyrics “I, I can hear laughter, it stays with me after all this time.”
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