#kill lincoln

Good Riddance to Good Advice

Artist: Kill Lincoln

Release: 2015

Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned

Artist: The Prodigy

Sorry josephlikesmusic fans for the lack of posting recently but I have been busy with school!!!! Anyways one of my all time favorite ska bands, Kill Lincoln, recently dropped their fourth studio album so I am so back to review it.

No Normal doesn't stray too far sonically from previous Kill Lincoln projects, but I have no issue with that! Kill Lincoln does a great job of capturing the classic ska sound, while still being able to stand out in this new-tone wave. The catchy vocals and the tight horn section have always stood out to me as part of Kill Lincoln's style, and these features are not lost on this album.

Stinkbug really captured my attention on my first listen to the album. The first verse, especially the funky little syncopation between the drums and vocals really drew me in, but the themes and lyrics of the track are really what keeps bringing me back to the song.

Another song that immediately hooked me was Coming or Going, with an intro that reminds me of classic two-tone ska bands like The Specials. While the two-tone vibe sadly doesn't last the entire songs, the horn riffs really make up for it. This song has instrumental breaks and it really lets the talent of each member shine through. This album has many opportunities for the instrumentals to display their artistry, including songs like Never Getting Better, with a sort of bouncing back and forth between the horns and bass. I think this is what really lets Kill Lincoln stand out amongst other ska bands, who may have talented horn players that often take the back seat. In my experience, bands that really let everyone take a turn in the spotlight are so much fun to both listen to and watch live, so I just love that Kill Lincoln takes this approach with their music.

I thought that the title track, No Normal, was such a great choice as a closer for this project. The lyrics really wrap up the overall themes of the album, and the instrumental is just so catchy. I think that successfully ending an album is very difficult, but this track just does it so well. It is just such a satisfying ending to an album that many, many fun and catchy songs.

Kill Lincoln is one of many new tone ska bands that is proving that the ska scene is still alive and kicking. Their music is not only a love letter to all of the bands that came before them, but also something new for young and old ska fans alike. They are also just so much fun to see live, they have so much energy and passion for their music and I am always looking for the next opportunity to go and see them again. I just love the music these guys make and can't wait to see what they put out next.

Kill Lincoln - Civil Surgery