The Mighty Mighty Bosstones: A Jackknife To A Swan : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

A half-decade since their fluke '97 hit "The Impression That I Get," the Mighty Mighty Bosstones have survived in recent years on fan loyalty. As a way of saying thanks, the lads in plaid give their devout punk/ska worshippers a new and reliable shot of their trademark. Forgoing the polish of their previous two records, these Warped headliners -- now free from the confines of a major label -- execute A Jackknife to a Swan with a notable looseness. But if the shackles are off, the punchy riffs and uplifting horns that propel "I Want My City Back" and the disc's hard charging title track are as good as anything the Bosstones have ever done. A pop sensibility permeates "Chasing the Sun Away," a fabulous, resort-ready ska tune, while "7 Ways to Sunday," a formula-defying acoustic blues item just might be Jackknife's most engaging moment. Lead throat Dicky Barrett still sounds at times like he's gargled with too much Drano, which detracts from the otherwise solid "Everybody's Better." But it's hard not to love a group with the gumption to write a song like "Mr. Moran," a wry tribute to one-time Gotti underboss Sammy "The Bull" Gravano.

JOHN D. LUERSSEN
(July 9, 2002)