The Skalps release an absolute dream!
Around since around 2016, Dublin’s The Skalps were never supposed to be a band.
Cobbled together from other bands musicians, they were supposed to release a one off E.P. and that would be it, but here they are eight years later and their debut album has hit the streets!
And thank god they stayed together as this is an absolute blinder of an offering that will have you on your feet from the first track to the very last.
Entitled ‘Dreamscapes and Landscapes’, upbeat, danceable ska 90’s style with a modern twist is definitely what’s on offer here and it’s done really really well.
Kicking off with ‘Mr Miserable’, you will instantly start to move to the fast pace and bouncing ska beats which is then followed by the awesome ‘Close to You’. On of my favourites on the album, its just one of those tunes that pulls you onto the dance floor like a magnet.
The next couple of tracks ‘Roses’ and keyboard-driven ‘Plastic Fantastic’ don’t give you any chance to get your breath back either. This album is a relentless wave of bangers.
‘Missing You’ serves up more of the same before ‘Ride’ calls upon the listener to shake off all racial disunity, disharmony and hate. A great message wrapped in a great song that slows the pace down ever so slightly. Another favorite of mine.
‘Within my World’ proves so far into this album that The Skalps are incapable of penning a weak track and ‘Let Go’, ‘Slingshots & Arrows’ and ‘Nothing Stays the Same’ reinforce that belief. This is an excellent collection of pure, danceable ska tracks!
The first 40 seconds of ‘Superhero’ give you a brief moment to catch your breath, but it soon launches into another upbeat, danceable tune.
Closing the album is ‘Fairground Twist and (on streaming sites at least) a couple of bonus tracks in the form of ‘Red Right Hand’ and ‘Hit Parade’
This really is an excellent album with some cracking tunes that I’m sure sound even better live. You should definitely get it on your playlist, or better still, you can get a physical CD off the band themselves by messaging them on their Facebook Page. A digital download is available on the bands Bandcamp Page. There is even talk about an upcoming vinyl release. I, for one, will be on the lookout for that!
The Skalps on Facebook
The Skalps on Bandcamp
