Top ten (ska) punk albums

Angel lists the top ten (ska) punk albums that have been rocking her world!
 
Now plenty of punks I’ve come across in my time like to think that punk music is a pure, untouchable form of music and that anyone who confesses to be punk and uses more than four chords or is signed to a major label just doesn’t cut it.

I think this is pretty tragic and certainly don’t conform to this way of thinking – why rule out half the bands on the scene just because they’re commercial?

So here is my top ten punk albums. They might be a little bit ska, they might be a little bit pop but by hell they’re great. Girls, it’s time to skank…

1. Mad Caddies: Rock The Plank

It’s official. I love the Caddies! All of their albums are amazing in their own way but picking a favourite was a no-brainer. Rock the Plank signaled the Caddies’ entrance into the world of ‘piratecore’. Sounds freakin weird but it totally works – check out Weird Beard for a flavour.

To be fair most of the album has as much relation to pirates as I do (well there was my uncle Bluebeard but he told me he acquired all that gold by legitimate means) but it’s still bloody awesome.

You can’t help but sing along to tracks about how much he hates his girlfriend but stays with her cos she’s hot and All American Badass is one of the best scream-along songs I own – all about crazy asses in a mosh pit – trust me you’ll be able to relate. Oh and if you ever get the chance to see these guys live you MUST go. They are utterly amazing.

Best track: Weird Beard (or as I like to call it The Pirate Song)
Also check out: Just One More

2. Reel Big Fish: Cheer Up

Ah the mighty Fish at their best. It was a tough choice between this album and Favourite Noise as the latter contains a couple of my favourite tracks (yes I mean you Beer and the ever popular Take On Me). But as a total package Cheer Up ticks all the boxes.

RBF have an amazing talent for mixing depressing as hell lyrics with upbeat tuneage. Bop along with Somebody Loved Me and A Little Doubt Goes A Long Way, not to mention the cover of Sublime track Boss DJ. I defy you not to dance to this album, it’s a total classic.

Best track: Where Have You Been?
Also check out: Favourite Noise

3. Streetlight Manifesto: Everything Goes Numb

Another ska punk lot who can make songs about suicide sound like fun (don't do it girls! e-Mo). I picked up this album in a little second hand joint in Manchester around 4 years ago after seeing it recommended on Punkermentality. I was not disappointed.

It has so much depth and texture and every song sounds very different – something that doesn’t happen with a lot of punk albums. I can honestly never think of another time when I’ve sung “But don’t take your life cos it’s all that you got” and looked so damn happy about it.

Best track: Point/Counterpoint
Also check out: Keasbey Nights by Catch 22

4. Leftover Crack: Fuck World Trade

If you like your punk a little more gritty you don’t want to miss this lot. With a strong political vein and lyrics about killing cops, this isn’t a bounce fest. But musically it is varied and heavy with strong, gravelly vocals.

It doesn’t feel like they’re shouting about doing all this murdering for no reason; tracks like One Dead Cop and Ya Can’t Go Home are actually quite emotional, providing a depth that is quite rare. It’s not one for the faint hearted but it is still accessible enough that it will have something to appeal to most punk fans.

Best track: One Dead Cop
Also check out: Don’t bother with their other albums

5. Rancid:  And Out Come the Wolves

I’m sure everyone who’s compiled a top ten list of punk albums has included this (unless they fall into the category of label-hating punks mentioned in my intro). It is bloody good. Tim Armstrong’s distinctive voice and defiance has meant Rancid have stood the test of time. Time Bomb is a total classic and any rock club regulars will recognise it instantly. Other hot tracks include Roots Radicals, She’s Automatic, As Wicked and Ruby Soho.

Best track: Time Bomb
Also check out: Indestructible

6. The Offspring: Smash

Another classic punk favourite, but for me this album stands the test of time. Even since Dexter, Noodles et al started releasing pap like Americana I can still chuck on Smash and get a taste of their raw passion. Tracks like Self Esteem, Come Out & Play and Something To Believe in are timeless. Musically The Offspring aren’t known for their experimentation, but for hard-hitting straightforward punk you can’t beat it.

Best track: Self Esteem
Also check out: Ixnay On The Hombre

7. Less Than Jake: Anthem

Now everyone loved All My Best Friends Are Metalheads – there was no escape from that track at rock clubs everywhere and it certainly is fun. But after picking up a few of LTJ’s albums I got a bit bored – they all sound very similar and I find it slightly disturbing when aging men still talk about arguing with their parents about leaving home.

But then they released Anthem. This is a real step forward for them – it has more depth and variation to it, not to mention a great array of killer tracks. The Ghosts Of You And Me and The Science Of Selling Yourself Short literally are anthems for the disaffected.

Best track: The Brightest Bulb Has Burned Out
Also check out: Hello Rockview

8. Capdown: Wind Up Toys

Milton Keynes’ finest. Unfortunately these guys have now decided to call it quits but not without producing some top notch albums. If you want horns, you got horns. Capdown have a very unique sound which has lead to some of their early albums getting a little samey, but their final offering has diversity by the shedload.

They’ve finally pulled together their anti-establishment voice and toned down their incessant horn blowing to create a neatly polished little album. In fact they were so pleased with it they announced that they would never be able to better it and promptly disbanded.

Best track: No Matter What
Also check out: Pound For The Sound

9. The Clash: The Essential Clash

Ok so everyone loves The Clash. The truth is I haven’t named dropped the Pistols or the Ramones in this rundown which proves that I’m not conforming to everyone else’s view of the best punk albums, but you cannot deny that early Clash is punktastic.

White Riot, Career Opportunities and Safe European Home are fab tracks and yeah so they went a little random and pop later on but the first CD of this collection is dynamite.

Best track: Safe European Home
Also check out: The Dead 60s – they’re The Clash reborn

10. Rise Against: Siren Song of the Counter Culture

This is one of those albums that does what it says on the tin. These guys cross over into emo but there’s enough speedy riffs that I want to drop it in here. Rise Against sound fresh as, they’re cool without being inaccessible and they have a fabulous vocalist. Life Less Frightening and Swing Life Away are personal favourites on the album but to hear their punk influence check out The First Drop and Give It All.

Best track: Life Less Frightening
Also check out: Early Jimmy Eat World