best ska albums of all time

[CharlieY23]

i feel so weird...everything i talk about here is ska, ska, ska....ill change that...


but, does anyone know of any quintessential ska albums to listening...preferably 2nd to 3rd wave.


ive trying to find some

[El_Jeffe]

never stop talking ska brother!

punk/ska or actual ska? i only really know the latter & if that's what ya after mate, i'd suggest:

modern ska:
the slackers - wasted days
fat freddy's drop - based on a true story
the black seeds - on the sun
hepcat - scientific
katchafire - say what you're thinking
the aggrolites - the aggrolites
westbound train - tranisitions
the insteps - eleven steps to power
stubborn all-stars - back with a new batch
david hillyard & the rocksteady 7 - playtime
the skatalites - ball of fire

old school:
prince buster - 10 commandments
toots & the maytals - sweet & dandy
laurel aitkin - the high priest of reggae
the heptones - night food
desmond dekker - action!
the wailers - the wailing wailers
alton ellis - still in love
wailing souls - fire house rock
beres hammond - music is life
freddie mcgregor - bobby bobylon
glen washington - get next to me
sugar minott - good thing gone
ken boothe - mr rock steady
the ethiopians - reggae power
the melodians - sweet sensation


if punk/ska is what you wanted:
the dead 60's - the dead 60's
the toasters - hard band for dead
the specials - the specials
bad manners - ska'n'b
the beat - i just can't stop it
madness - one step beyond
catch 22 - keasbey nights

& that's only the beginning (if traditional ska is what ya wanted), ska music is a wonderful soul outlet, with that glorious galloping beat, wailing horns, great lyrics, pure vocal harmonies. so much to love

[CharlieY23]

Everything, sir. I just want to listen to ska. Keep it coming. Hopefully I can find these albums

[Machu505]

Operation Ivy - Energy

[CharlieY23]

thanks. if we could keep it more modern, that'd be cool. I'm actually seeing Westbound Train thursday. woot

[kappsetsfire]

here are a few of my favorites, its funny cause i had this conversation yesterday:

1. RX BANDITS - THE PROGESS
2. REEL BIG FISH - TURN THE RADIO OFF
3. SUICIDE MACHINES - DESTRUCTION BY DEFINITION
4. LESS THAN JAKE - LOSING STREAK
5. LESS THAN JAKE - HELLO ROCKVIEW
6. EDNA'S GOLDFISH - BEFORE YOU KNEW BETTER
7. THE HIPPOS - HEADS ARE GONNA ROLL
8. GOLDFINGER - HANG UPS
9. CATCH 22 - KEASBY NIGHTS
10. CATCH 22 - ALONE IN THE CROWD
11. STREETLIGHT MANIFESTO - EVERYTHING GOES NUMB
12. STREETLIGHT MANIFESTO - SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN
13. SUICIDE MACHINES - BATTLE HYMNS

[CharlieY23]

Ok, Kapps i had 2,4,5,8,9,11,12 before i started the thread. sweet, im ahead of the game lol

[allhourcymbals]

thanks. if we could keep it more modern, that'd be cool. I'm actually seeing Westbound Train thursday. woot
at roseland ballroom? i don't know how far you are from asbury park, but they'll be there (as will i , hopefully) on saturday.

[CharlieY23]

at roseland ballroom? i don't know how far you are from asbury park, but they'll be there (as will i , hopefully) on saturday.
yessir. im going to that very tour. cant wait! so pumped

[stupidtyonparad]

Reel Big Fish-----our live album is better than your live album

BIG D AND THE KIDS TABLE--------STRICTLY RUDE (my favorite ska album of all time)

[allhourcymbals]

yessir. im going to that very tour. cant wait! so pumped
awesome! and as for recommendations, anything i would have recommended is on el_jeffe's list so go with some of the ones listed under 'modern ska' and then 'old school' if you want real ska.

[squared82]

Five Iron Frenzy - Our Newest Album Ever

[CharlieY23]

Reel Big Fish-----our live album is better than your live album

BIG D AND THE KIDS TABLE--------STRICTLY RUDE (my favorite ska album of all time)
^yes indeed i have both of those.. the dvd on the 1st is amazing

[11:11]

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones- Let's Face It
that cd is very close to perfect

[CharlieY23]

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones- Let's Face It
that cd is very close to perfect
is it? because i have Question the Answers and I didn't like it... but I'll take your word for it

[thatwasamoment]

Reel Big Fish - Why Do they Rock So Hard?
Save Ferris - It Means Everything

[Brandon Allin]

Five Iron Frenzy - Our Newest Album Ever
Essential.

[ToastmasterAlph]

Wow, all my favorites have already been posted. Nice work Internets.

[yoyoninjagirl]

here are a few of my favorites, its funny cause i had this conversation yesterday:

1. RX BANDITS - THE PROGESS
2. REEL BIG FISH - TURN THE RADIO OFF
3. SUICIDE MACHINES - DESTRUCTION BY DEFINITION
4. LESS THAN JAKE - LOSING STREAK
5. LESS THAN JAKE - HELLO ROCKVIEW
6. EDNA'S GOLDFISH - BEFORE YOU KNEW BETTER
7. THE HIPPOS - HEADS ARE GONNA ROLL
8. GOLDFINGER - HANG UPS
9. CATCH 22 - KEASBY NIGHTS
10. CATCH 22 - ALONE IN THE CROWD
11. STREETLIGHT MANIFESTO - EVERYTHING GOES NUMB
12. STREETLIGHT MANIFESTO - SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN
13. SUICIDE MACHINES - BATTLE HYMNS

Excellent list.

[11:11]

is it? because i have Question the Answers and I didn't like it... but I'll take your word for it
yeah, i didnt like Q the A that much either, but LFI has a much...cleaner?...sound; idk, i thought it was excellent.

[ska4life07]

Reel Big Fish-----our live album is better than your live album

"Whats up with the boots on your feet?!"

[Battle Hymns]

I'm so glad the Suicide Machines were already mentioned.

Others I would toss out there:
Goldfinger- s/t
The Arrogant Sons of Bitches- Three Cheers For Disappointment
Mustard Plug- Pray For Mojo
Slapstick- Discography

[fallingapart101]

A lot has been said that I've would have said. Five Iron Frenzy, Mustard Plug, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, etc.

I would have to say though anything the Hippos did. Even when they left the ska sound, it was so freaking catchy.

[ska4life07]

Turn the radio off.

[DarkHalo003]

Where's all of the Five Iron Frenzy?

I've heard some Reel Big Fish and I think they're a good Ska band. Not completely my cup of tea, but they have some good songs.

[floormaster925]

keasby nights- catch 22

[Shoes]

never stop talking ska brother!

punk/ska or actual ska? i only really know the latter & if that's what ya after mate, i'd suggest:

modern ska:
the slackers - wasted days
fat freddy's drop - based on a true story
the black seeds - on the sun
hepcat - scientific
katchafire - say what you're thinking
the aggrolites - the aggrolites
westbound train - tranisitions
the insteps - eleven steps to power
stubborn all-stars - back with a new batch
david hillyard & the rocksteady 7 - playtime
the skatalites - ball of fire

old school:
prince buster - 10 commandments
toots & the maytals - sweet & dandy
laurel aitkin - the high priest of reggae
the heptones - night food
desmond dekker - action!
the wailers - the wailing wailers
alton ellis - still in love
wailing souls - fire house rock
beres hammond - music is life
freddie mcgregor - bobby bobylon
glen washington - get next to me
sugar minott - good thing gone
ken boothe - me rock steady
the ethiopians - reggae power
the melodians - sweet sensation


if punk/ska is what you wanted:
the dead 60's - the dead 60's
the toasters - hard band for dead
the specials - the specials
bad manners - ska'n'b
the beat - i just can't stop it
madness - one step beyond
catch 22 - keasbey nights

& that's only the beginning (if traditional ska is what ya wanted), ska music is a wonderful soul outlet, with that glorious galloping beat, wailing horns, great lyrics, pure vocal harmonies. so much to love
I completely agree, yumyum! Also, I've been listening to some of The Hippos early stuff; really good!

[SKAtasterpiece]

My Top 20

20. Pezcore- Less Than Jake (Amazing songs, shitty live show. They are too much into themselves and not the crowd.)
19. Specials- The Specials
18. How It Goes- Big D and the Kids Table
17. Destruction By Definition- Suicide Machines
16. Our Newest Album Ever!- Five Iron Frenzy
15. Energy- Operation Ivy
14. Fush Yu Mang- Smash Mouth (Yes, Smash Mouth was a kick ass ska band back in the day)
13. It Means Everything- Save Ferris
12. Why Do They Rock So Hard?- Reel Big Fish (How do they? Someone tell me...)
11. Live in London- The Toasters
10. Keasbey Nights- Catch 22 (The Streetlight version sucks. Forgive me for saying this, Streetlight sucks)
09. The Green Album- Skankin Pickle
08. Life of the Party- Planet Smashers
07. Black and Dekker- Desmond Dekker (Classic)
06. Honey, I'm Homely- Dance Hall Crashers
05. Twenty Eight Teeth- Buck-o-Nine
04. Press- MU330
03. Evildoers Beware!- Mustard Plug (Listen to Dressed Up. Changed my life)
02. Rump Shaker- Suburban Legends (Oh...My...God. If you've never seen these guys live, do it. SL, MP, and The Aquabats ARE the Holy Trinity of the 3rd Wave.)
01. The Fury of The Aquabats!- The Aquabats! (Can't believe no one has talked bout them. ARE THERE NO AQUACADETS LEFT?!?!?!?!)

Who Almost Made the List

-Album Minus Band- Bomb the Music Industry! (Great DIY band. They support free downloads so go and get all their cds)
-Supertones Strike Back- OC Supertones (Awesome Christian ska. But if you think they are too straight foward with religion, FIF's stuff isn't that straight foward and it's just as good)
-Who Is, Ths Is?- Voodoo Glow Skulls (These guys are just sooooo crazy. Awesome music. Most likely wouldve been number 21)
-My New Obsession- I Voted For Kodos (Great ska band. Turned Pop Punkish on this album but just amazing.)
-Slapstick- Slapstick (Such and underrated ska band. PLUS, it has Dan Andriano from Alkaline Trio. Sound like a more ska version of Op Ivy)
-A Jacknife to a Swan- Mighty Mighty Bosstones (Great band, just not for everyone. But this is a good cd. Just not good enough to be on my list)




(I'm the one out of my group of friends who is obsessed with ska. Good thing my girlfriend loves ska too.)

[floormaster925]

good call on voodoo glow skulls

[HashHolly]

My Top 20

20. Pezcore- Less Than Jake (Amazing songs, shitty live show. They are too much into themselves and not the crowd.)
19. Specials- The Specials
18. How It Goes- Big D and the Kids Table
17. Destruction By Definition- Suicide Machines
16. Our Newest Album Ever!- Five Iron Frenzy
15. Energy- Operation Ivy
14. Fush Yu Mang- Smash Mouth (Yes, Smash Mouth was a kick ass ska band back in the day)
13. It Means Everything- Save Ferris
12. Why Do They Rock So Hard?- Reel Big Fish (How do they? Someone tell me...)
11. Live in London- The Toasters
10. Keasbey Nights- Catch 22 (The Streetlight version sucks. Forgive me for saying this, Streetlight sucks)
09. The Green Album- Skankin Pickle
08. Life of the Party- Planet Smashers
07. Black and Dekker- Desmond Dekker (Classic)
06. Honey, I'm Homely- Dance Hall Crashers
05. Twenty Eight Teeth- Buck-o-Nine
04. Press- MU330
03. Evildoers Beware!- Mustard Plug (Listen to Dressed Up. Changed my life)
02. Rump Shaker- Suburban Legends (Oh...My...God. If you've never seen these guys live, do it. SL, MP, and The Aquabats ARE the Holy Trinity of the 3rd Wave.)
01. The Fury of The Aquabats!- The Aquabats! (Can't believe no one has talked bout them. ARE THERE NO AQUACADETS LEFT?!?!?!?!)

Who Almost Made the List

-Album Minus Band- Bomb the Music Industry! (Great DIY band. They support free downloads so go and get all their cds)
-Supertones Strike Back- OC Supertones (Awesome Christian ska. But if you think they are too straight foward with religion, FIF's stuff isn't that straight foward and it's just as good)
-Who Is, Ths Is?- Voodoo Glow Skulls (These guys are just sooooo crazy. Awesome music. Most likely wouldve been number 21)
-My New Obsession- I Voted For Kodos (Great ska band. Turned Pop Punkish on this album but just amazing.)
-Slapstick- Slapstick (Such and underrated ska band. PLUS, it has Dan Andriano from Alkaline Trio. Sound like a more ska version of Op Ivy)
-A Jacknife to a Swan- Mighty Mighty Bosstones (Great band, just not for everyone. But this is a good cd. Just not good enough to be on my list)




(I'm the one out of my group of friends who is obsessed with ska. Good thing my girlfriend loves ska too.)

I just dropped in to say that i completely disagree with you on LTJ's live show, saw them last year and it ranks as the most fun i've ever had at a show, and they were tight as hell live.

[SKAtasterpiece]

I just dropped in to say that i completely disagree with you on LTJ's live show, saw them last year and it ranks as the most fun i've ever had at a show, and they were tight as hell live.

I saw them when they were playing with Suburban Legends and Mustard Plug and both of those bands were so much better. I like it better when someone plays with the crowd. SL danced and got everybody (but the arrogant assholes that booed them) to dance (I even started a skank pit or 2). MP had a better connection with the audience. But LTJ just seemed too full of themselves. I agree, their music was tight, but their presence I didn't like.



But hey, that's just one man's opinion.

[Zachals]

five iron frenzy - the end is near

[Pokemon]

Okay, this area is my specialty. Almost all my favorites have been posted but some deserve reiteration. Listed in order of preference for each band. (They aren't all strictly ska but at least ska influenced)

1990 - Present

Less Than Jake - Hello Rockview / Losing Streak / Anthem / Borders and Boundaries / GNV FLA / Pezcore
Rx Bandits - Progress / The Resignation / Halfway Between Here and There
Slapstick - 25 Songs
The Hippos - Heads Are Gonna Roll
Westbound Train - Searching for a Melody / Five to Two
Reel Big Fish - Turn the Radio Off / Why Do They Rock So Hard? / Cheer Up
Catch 22 - Keasby Nights / Alone in a Crowd
Streetlight Manifesto - Everything Went Numb / Somewhere in the Between
Suicide Machines - Destruction by Definition / Battle Hymns
Big D and the Kids Table - Strictly Rude / How it Goes / Good Luck / Gypsy Hill
The Slackers - The Question / Redlight / Wasted Days / Peculiar / Close My Eyes
Daly's Gone Wrong - Never a Hand to Hold
The Planet Smashers - Life of the Party / Mighty / Attack of
The Aquabats - Fury of / Myths, Legends / Charge
Spring Heeled Jack (USA) - Songs From Suburbia (This CD has my favorite song of all time Jolene)
High School Football Heroes - Close Only Counts in Horseshoes and Hand Grenades
The Aggrolites - The Aggrolites / Reggae Hit L.A.


Before 1990
The Specials - The Specials
The English Beat - What is Beat?
The Skatalites - Foundation Ska (Okay released in 1997 but the music is from before)
Toots and The Maytals - Funky Kingston / True Love (Also released in 2004 and I like these versions better)

[SteffRyanFail]

communityrecords.org

Lots of free downloads and amazing ska.
From there I suggest any Fatter Than Albert, Stuck Lucky, and Saftey you can get.

[mick_jagger]

My Top 20

20. Pezcore- Less Than Jake (Amazing songs, shitty live show. They are too much into themselves and not the crowd.)
19. Specials- The Specials
18. How It Goes- Big D and the Kids Table
17. Destruction By Definition- Suicide Machines
16. Our Newest Album Ever!- Five Iron Frenzy
15. Energy- Operation Ivy
14. Fush Yu Mang- Smash Mouth (Yes, Smash Mouth was a kick ass ska band back in the day)
13. It Means Everything- Save Ferris
12. Why Do They Rock So Hard?- Reel Big Fish (How do they? Someone tell me...)
11. Live in London- The Toasters
10. Keasbey Nights- Catch 22 (The Streetlight version sucks. Forgive me for saying this, Streetlight sucks)
09. The Green Album- Skankin Pickle
08. Life of the Party- Planet Smashers
07. Black and Dekker- Desmond Dekker (Classic)
06. Honey, I'm Homely- Dance Hall Crashers
05. Twenty Eight Teeth- Buck-o-Nine
04. Press- MU330
03. Evildoers Beware!- Mustard Plug (Listen to Dressed Up. Changed my life)
02. Rump Shaker- Suburban Legends (Oh...My...God. If you've never seen these guys live, do it. SL, MP, and The Aquabats ARE the Holy Trinity of the 3rd Wave.)
01. The Fury of The Aquabats!- The Aquabats! (Can't believe no one has talked bout them. ARE THERE NO AQUACADETS LEFT?!?!?!?!)

Who Almost Made the List

-Album Minus Band- Bomb the Music Industry! (Great DIY band. They support free downloads so go and get all their cds)
-Supertones Strike Back- OC Supertones (Awesome Christian ska. But if you think they are too straight foward with religion, FIF's stuff isn't that straight foward and it's just as good)
-Who Is, Ths Is?- Voodoo Glow Skulls (These guys are just sooooo crazy. Awesome music. Most likely wouldve been number 21)
-My New Obsession- I Voted For Kodos (Great ska band. Turned Pop Punkish on this album but just amazing.)
-Slapstick- Slapstick (Such and underrated ska band. PLUS, it has Dan Andriano from Alkaline Trio. Sound like a more ska version of Op Ivy)
-A Jacknife to a Swan- Mighty Mighty Bosstones (Great band, just not for everyone. But this is a good cd. Just not good enough to be on my list)




(I'm the one out of my group of friends who is obsessed with ska. Good thing my girlfriend loves ska too.)

YES! That's what I came here to say. That, and then The Return Of... is also great. But The Fury Of... is my favorite album. Plus, Travis Barker did the drums, which made it even more amazing.

[SKAtasterpiece]

Okay, this area is my specialty. Almost all my favorites have been posted but some deserve reiteration. Listed in order of preference for each band. (They aren't all strictly ska but at least ska influenced)

1990 - Present

Less Than Jake - Hello Rockview / Losing Streak / Anthem / Borders and Boundaries / GNV FLA / Pezcore
Rx Bandits - Progress / The Resignation / Halfway Between Here and There
Slapstick - 25 Songs
The Hippos - Heads Are Gonna Roll
Westbound Train - Searching for a Melody / Five to Two
Reel Big Fish - Turn the Radio Off / Why Do They Rock So Hard? / Cheer Up
Catch 22 - Keasby Nights / Alone in a Crowd
Streetlight Manifesto - Everything Went Numb / Somewhere in the Between
Suicide Machines - Destruction by Definition / Battle Hymns
Big D and the Kids Table - Strictly Rude / How it Goes / Good Luck / Gypsy Hill
The Slackers - The Question / Redlight / Wasted Days / Peculiar / Close My Eyes
Daly's Gone Wrong - Never a Hand to Hold
The Planet Smashers - Life of the Party / Mighty / Attack of
The Aquabats - Fury of / Myths, Legends / Charge
Spring Heeled Jack (USA) - Songs From Suburbia (This CD has my favorite song of all time Jolene)
High School Football Heroes - Close Only Counts in Horseshoes and Hand Grenades
The Aggrolites - The Aggrolites / Reggae Hit L.A.


Before 1990
The Specials - The Specials
The English Beat - What is Beat?
The Skatalites - Foundation Ska (Okay released in 1997 but the music is from before)
Toots and The Maytals - Funky Kingston / True Love (Also released in 2004 and I like these versions better)

Nice selection. I'm trying to get a copy of Battle Hymns but no luck.

YES! That's what I came here to say. That, and then The Return Of... is also great. But The Fury Of... is my favorite album. Plus, Travis Barker did the drums, which made it even more amazing.

Hahahaha It's great to get a response from someone. I do love Return of... but the quality isn't that great. It aggrivates me that if I have any songs from that album on a mix, I have to turn up to hear it and then quickly turn it down right after. They need to reissue it. That would be sick.

[mick_jagger]

Nice selection. I'm trying to get a copy of Battle Hymns but no luck.



Hahahaha It's great to get a response from someone. I do love Return of... but the quality isn't that great. It aggrivates me that if I have any songs from that album on a mix, I have to turn up to hear it and then quickly turn it down right after. They need to reissue it. That would be sick.

Yes it would. Sucks that the only horn player now is Jimmy the Robot, and most of the time he's playing keyboard anyways. MCBC doesn't feel it's necessary to replace unnecessary members. They still put on a fun live show though.

[SKAtasterpiece]

Yes it would. Sucks that the only horn player now is Jimmy the Robot, and most of the time he's playing keyboard anyways. MCBC doesn't feel it's necessary to replace unnecessary members. They still put on a fun live show though.



oh god their live shows are amazing. I saw them in DC like 3 or 4 years ago with Time Again and The Phenomenauts. I got the chance to meet them and they are some awesome guys. Such a great time.

[mick_jagger]

oh god their live shows are amazing. I saw them in DC like 3 or 4 years ago with Time Again and The Phenomenauts. I got the chance to meet them and they are some awesome guys. Such a great time.

Yeah! They played with the Phenomenauts and some hipster band. We came during the middle of the Phenomenauts's set. They were good. We were going to stick around for them afterward, but it was at The Glass House in Pomona, which is a classic place for them to play, so we didn't want to wait that long cause we were tired. Still fun though.

[Pokemon]

The Aquabats = My favorite band / live music experience. I've seen them once in Montreal in 2006 with the Aggrolites and Seattle in 2007 with DJ Lance. The first time was the best day of my life. I never listen to my Return of CD even though it took me a year to receive when I ordered it.

[Pokemon]

Nice selection. I'm trying to get a copy of Battle Hymns but no luck.



Hahahaha It's great to get a response from someone. I do love Return of... but the quality isn't that great. It aggrivates me that if I have any songs from that album on a mix, I have to turn up to hear it and then quickly turn it down right after. They need to reissue it. That would be sick.

Battle Hymns is pretty good. I bought my copies of Destruction by Definition and Battle Hymns on CD back in 2002 or 2003. My favorite songs from the CD are Someone, Hope, Black and White World, High Society and DDT.

[dumhed01]

I haven't read all the replies, so sorry if this is a re-post.

Anything by Link 80.
Knowledge.
Rollerstarter.
Bandits of the acoustic Revolution.

[Misstamara]

Dying is your lastest fashion??anybody guess wat band??

[dumhed01]

wat

[Hot Damn]

Slapstick - Lookit (and also 25 songs)
Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Question The Answers / Skacore, The Devil, & More / More Noies & Other Disturbances
Link 80 - 17 Reasons
Less Than Jake - Losing Streak / Hello Rockview
Operation Ivy - Energy
Skankin' Pickle - LIVE
Voodoo Glow Skulls - Who Is This Is / Firme

There are plenty more i love... those are the main ones that I listened to back in the day.. and also Buck-O-Nine, Aquabats, Mustard Plug, etc, but none of those are best of all time.

[SKAtasterpiece]

The Aquabats = My favorite band / live music experience. I've seen them once in Montreal in 2006 with the Aggrolites and Seattle in 2007 with DJ Lance. The first time was the best day of my life. I never listen to my Return of CD even though it took me a year to receive when I ordered it.


I feel your pain man. I ordered my Aquacadet kit for my 14th birthday and it took over 6 months to get it. They felt bad and gave me free tickets to see them live and promised to spend time before and after the show. OH MY GOD! Like OH.....MY......GOD! I still have pics from it. They signed my bass and a shirt of mine. All nice guys. Sucks that they are seldomly on the East Coast.


I always wanted to know how DJ Lance is live.

[Tromboneguy1245]

My list would have to go with

Somewhere in the Between- Streetlight Manifesto
Keasby Nights - Catch 22/Streetlight Manifesto
Let's Face It - The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
40 oz. to Freedom - Sublime
GNV FLA - Less Than Jake
Big Daddy Multitude - Mustard Plug
Everything Sucks - Reel Big Fish
Strictly Rude - Big D and The Kids Table

there you can have fun with that for a while

[bastard_of_ness]

My list would have to go with

Somewhere in the Between- Streetlight Manifesto
Keasby Nights - Catch 22/Streetlight Manifesto
Let's Face It - The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
40 oz. to Freedom - Sublime
GNV FLA - Less Than Jake
Big Daddy Multitude - Mustard Plug
Everything Sucks - Reel Big Fish
Strictly Rude - Big D and The Kids Table

there you can have fun with that for a while


While I'd argue that 40oz is not "ska" per se, I'd also arguethat anyone who doesn't own it must go get it now, I'll even spot you $5 towards the purchase.

Keasby is a great one (either is great, but go with Catch because it's the original), as is Everything Sucks!

I'd also recommend Upbeats and Beatdowns by Five Iron Frenzy (not the best album, but their most ska/ska-punk influenced album and it's solid. They evolved to become basically a dork rock band with horns)

The Toasters greatest hits collection, entitled Don't Let the Bastards Grind You Down is great and one of the most clear examples of the third wave sound.

LTJ's Losing Streak is my favorite ska-unk album ever and The Pilfers's Chawalaleng is crazy good too.

[Tromboneguy1245]

While I'd argue that 40oz is not "ska" per se, I'd also arguethat anyone who doesn't own it must go get it now, I'll even spot you $5 towards the purchase.

Keasby is a great one (either is great, but go with Catch because it's the original), as is Everything Sucks!

I'd also recommend Upbeats and Beatdowns by Five Iron Frenzy (not the best album, but their most ska/ska-punk influenced album and it's solid. They evolved to become basically a dork rock band with horns)

The Toasters greatest hits collection, entitled Don't Let the Bastards Grind You Down is great and one of the most clear examples of the third wave sound.

LTJ's Losing Streak is my favorite ska-unk album ever and The Pilfers's Chawalaleng is crazy good too.

Upbeats and Beatdowns by FIF is a pretty great album, and I love the Toasters but none of their albums make my favorites.

[bastard_of_ness]

Upbeats and Beatdowns by FIF is a pretty great album, and I love the Toasters but none of their albums make my favorites.

That's why I recommend their greatest hits collection. However, their live show was what did it for me.

[hitormiss92]

Keasbey Nights is near and dear to my heart, but I would like to stick my neck out and say Hello Rockview and Losing streak by LTJ

[stupidtyonparad]

best ska album of all time

--fluent in stroll -- big d

honorable mentions
--strictly rude -- big d
--how it goes -- big d
--our live album is better than your live album -- reel big fish
--the specials -- the specials

[qballzzz]

Great band I grew up watching in CT was Johnny too Bad and the Strikeouts, but they are no longer.
Some great Ska bands who u should look up are

Big D and the Kids Table-they are sick, and are great musicians from Berkley School of music.
The Slackers
The Toasters
Bad Manners
Deal gone bad
toots and the maytals are classic, as well as early Bob Marley too
so much out there...these are but a few of my favorites

[ARadioWithGuts]

Losing Streak - Less Than Jake
Keasbey Nights - Streetlight Manifesto/ Catch 22
Our Live Album is Better than Your Live Album- Reel Big Fish

Those are my top 3 for sure.

[lukenelson]

www.myspace.com/corporatefandango
(http://absolutepunk.net/www.myspace.com/corporatefandango)
north carolina ska

[RiCCioLi]

How It Goes- Big D And The Kids Table
Good Luck - Big D And The Kids Table
Strictly Rude- Big D And The Kids Table
The Killing Moon- The Message idk if you guys would consider it ska, but it has horns and is awesome. miss them dudes
Reel Big Fish- Turn The Radio Off


Fluent In Scroll is good, but got old real quick and I could do without the Doo Woop Girls

[The Grey Man]

I didn't realize there was so much love for "Strictly Rude", i personally thought it was kind of a dud. Also I wasn't a big fan of Catch 22's "permanent revolution" is their older stuff better than that?

[DoubtGin]

I am a huuuuge fan of Thomas Kalnoky so its a tie between these two:

Catch 22 - Keasbey Nights
Streetlight Manifesto - Everything Goes Numb

[MoonStomper25]

Holy crap. Ok.
STRICTLY RUDE - BIG D AND THE KIDS TABLE
FLUENT IN STROLL - BIG D AND THE KIDS TABLE
SOMEWHERE IN THE BETWEEN - STREETLIGHT MANIFESTO
EVERYTHING GOES NUMB - STREETLIGHT MANIFESTO
Really, anything from these bands. Note: Streetlight's a bit peppier (though all of their songs (literally) mention death one way or another), and Big D is more relaxing, and slow. Also, Big D has more of a reggae feel.

[xjaredcolbyx]

less than jake-losing streak. best ever.

[markayling]

Anything by The Beat/The Specials/The Selector/Madness/Bodysnatchers/Bad Manners

King Prawn - Got The Thirst

AK47's - Don't Call Me Vanilla

[Explode]

Holy crap. Ok.
STRICTLY RUDE - BIG D AND THE KIDS TABLE
FLUENT IN STROLL - BIG D AND THE KIDS TABLE
SOMEWHERE IN THE BETWEEN - STREETLIGHT MANIFESTO
EVERYTHING GOES NUMB - STREETLIGHT MANIFESTO
Really, anything from these bands. Note: Streetlight's a bit peppier (though all of their songs (literally) mention death one way or another), and Big D is more relaxing, and slow. Also, Big D has more of a reggae feel.
Going to check out Streetlight's albums.

[stupidtyonparad]

don't. not worth it. they're terribly over-rated

[pedro8410]

Catch 22- Dinosaur sounds is pretty dam good too

[laneo]

Well, this thread is pretty dead but here ya go..these are some of my personal favorites.


Operation ivy - energy
catch 22 - keasbey nights
dance hall crashers - lockjaw
streetlight manifesto - everything goes numb
rx bandits - progress
goldfinger - hang ups
suicide machines - destruction by definition
less than jake - losing streak (or hello rockview)
mighty mighty bosstones - more noise and other disturbances
big d and the kids table - how it goes
madd caddies - just one more
Arrogant sons of bitches - complete discography
reel big fish - turn the radio off

those are my favs..

can't believe nobody mentioned DHC

[laneo]

Edna's Goldfish - before you knew better..

[MoonStomper25]

Well, this thread is pretty dead but here ya go..these are some of my personal favorites.


Operation ivy - energy
catch 22 - keasbey nights
dance hall crashers - lockjaw
streetlight manifesto - everything goes numb
rx bandits - progress
goldfinger - hang ups
suicide machines - destruction by definition
less than jake - losing streak (or hello rockview)
mighty mighty bosstones - more noise and other disturbances
big d and the kids table - how it goes
madd caddies - just one more
Arrogant sons of bitches - complete discography
reel big fish - turn the radio off

those are my favs..

can't believe nobody mentioned DHC

Love your choices, especially How it Goes, but I think I'd put Somewhere in the Between for Streetlight.

[k1no]

Bad Manners - Can Can (Its a live album but its fucking fantastic.)
Streetlight Manifesto - Everything Goes Numb
Mustard Plug- Pray for Mojo
Operation Ivy - Energy
The Supervillains - Jahmerica

[k1no]

Edna's Goldfish - before you knew better..

Their video for Veronica Sawyer was filmed in a catholic school in my town.

JacMkvzR_kQ

[CodyLuhmann42]

Five Iron Frenzy is the best band of all time! All of their albums are practically flawless. Electric Boogaloo maybe my favorite album of all time. I am so glad FIF is back and the next couple of years will be amazing with a new album and tour coming up. We were able to raise over $200,000 on Kickstarter which is absolutely incredible considering that they only wanted $30,000 in 2 months. We raised $60,000 in an hour.

Other ska albums that I love are:
Reel Big Fish- Our Live Album is better than your live album
The Aquabats- Charge!
Myths, legends, and other Amazing Adventures
The Fury of the Aquabats
Return of the Aquabats
Vs. The Floating Eye
The Hippos- Heads Are Gonna Roll
No Doubt- Tragic Kingdom
Save Ferris- It Means Everything
Streetlight Manifesto- Somewhere in the Between
Keasby Nights
Everything Goes Numb

I am more of a 3rd wave ska fan and there are plenty of bands that I have not heard yet but I want to expand my ska collection someday!