Buck-O-Nine Cut Out The Noise CD Review
Until recently, my knowledge of Ska was limited at best. Outside of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and even then, it was only their breakout album “Let’s Face It”, I never really dove into the genre. Ska was just something I heard in passing at parties, in friends’ cars, or during those long, all-day festival shows where I’d share the stage with Ska-Punk bands. I wouldn’t have called myself a fan. That changed a few weeks ago.
We received the latest release from California’s Buck-O-Nine, “Cut Out the Noise”, for review. On the first spin, I was immediately hooked. The album is fun, lighthearted, and packed with energy. I won’t pretend to be an authority on Ska, so I won’t claim this is the genre’s best, but I can say it’s a damn good listen.
What struck me the most was how confident and cohesive the band sounds. The songwriting is tight, the production is clean, and there’s a clear sense of Pop sensibility without sacrificing the band’s edge. Lyrically, the album explores a range of topics with maturity that I wasn’t expecting, especially compared to some of the more juvenile Ska I’ve heard in the past. Buck-O-Nine isn’t trying to shock or impress with gimmicks, they’re simply making music that moves them and lets the listener decide whether it hits. For me, it hit like a bag of hammers.
Each of the 14 tracks features standout horn arrangements that never feel overdone. It’s clear the band went into the studio with a strong vision of what they wanted to accomplish, and they pulled it off.
After living with this album for a few weeks, I can confidently say I’m now a fan, not just of the genre, but of Buck-O-Nine. “Cut Out the Noise” is packed with feel-good vibes and infectious energy. I highly recommend carving out some time to give it a listen, or several.
Standout tracks: “Cut Out the Noise,” “It’s a New Day,” “Hallows,” “Razorface,” and “Rise Up.”