Another Hawaii ska band? Yes, please. Like most (if not all) local ska bands past and present, No Villains Left is no different: strong horn parts, a groovy rhythm section and off-the-wall lyrical content (“...and if you love me, let me eat your crust,” - Pizza is For Winners). After four years of playing shows and crafting a sound that's fresh and original, it's time NVL release an album. And it's a good one too, not Turn-the-Radio-Off, “good.” NVL is made up of 5 seasoned musicians, they skipped formalities and went straight to Why do they rock so hard? territory. It's a 90's ska/punk party on this debut record, Bright Lights.
The album opens big with the track, Dark Days, a punk-ska tune with a catchy horn riff and dual vocals going back and forth on verses. This song is followed up with an even bigger horn theme, Pizza is for Winners, a ditty that pays homage to the dish best served with sausage and pepperoni, yeah, pizza (deep dish or the floppy kind? The floppy kind). Another funny track on the album, is the rocking tune, Hairline. This is a tune dedicated to a receding hairline (Push back against the wall, no, it's never gonna come back, IT'S NEVER GONNA COME BACK). Sad times, for real.
The album opens big with the track, Dark Days, a punk-ska tune with a catchy horn riff and dual vocals going back and forth on verses. This song is followed up with an even bigger horn theme, Pizza is for Winners, a ditty that pays homage to the dish best served with sausage and pepperoni, yeah, pizza (deep dish or the floppy kind? The floppy kind). Another funny track on the album, is the rocking tune, Hairline. This is a tune dedicated to a receding hairline (Push back against the wall, no, it's never gonna come back, IT'S NEVER GONNA COME BACK). Sad times, for real.
A few other key tracks include, Weighed Down (a big sounding rock-ska track complete with whoa-oh-ohs), Modern World (a song that sounds like it should have been strictly instrumental, but the vocals sound dope too), and She's Not the One (one of the more aggressive tracks on the album with some double-pedal action at the end). But the most skank-friendly song on the album is 4321, a dance track worthy of extended play at a live show. It's an uplifting song with a moving bass line and clever lyrics that would work a crowd into a sing-along. Most noteworthy part of the track is the battle between the trombone and trumpet, trading 4s before playing in unison to a climactic, Lift those feet!
Listeners got a taste of the record back in October when the band released the album's first single, the title track, Bright Lights. It was soon followed by the Christmas themed single, Ding Ding. No, the title is not referencing bells (hahahahahaha) But now with a full album and 10 fresh tracks in tow, it's time to rejoice and dance and skank and eat plenty pizza until kanak attacks. No Villains Left have a solid record here. And it's dope. Shootz.
Listeners got a taste of the record back in October when the band released the album's first single, the title track, Bright Lights. It was soon followed by the Christmas themed single, Ding Ding. No, the title is not referencing bells (hahahahahaha) But now with a full album and 10 fresh tracks in tow, it's time to rejoice and dance and skank and eat plenty pizza until kanak attacks. No Villains Left have a solid record here. And it's dope. Shootz.
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