The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Back in the mid-'80s, a bunch of Boston high school kids discovered that Jamaican ska and American hardcore punk could be combined to form one exceedingly loud and fast musical tribute, complete with horn section, to testosterone. Since then, many other bands have capitalized on that discovery, and some (No Doubt and Sublime, for instance) have taken it to greater commercial heights. Yet the Mighty Mighty Bosstones' pioneer status remains secure, just as their ongoing dedication to the music is unquestionable.

The Bosstones' debut album doesn't blend ska and hardcore so much as it bashes them together. Like a traffic accident, Devils Night Out is horribly fascinating; unlike a traffic accident, you can dance to it. The EP that followed is named for the Bosstones' first truly catchy tune. More Noise leans toward pop metal, an interesting development undermined by inconsistent songwriting. Lead vocalist Dicky Barrett sings with all the grace of an angry frog on a weeklong bender, amusing enough on the party tracks but discouraging on the ones striving for personal or social relevance.

The Bosstones' first two major-label releases accentuate the harder side of their music, proving definitively that the band is better at skanking than head banging. Question the Answers gets the balance closer to right: more horns, memorable tunes, and less gargling from Barrett. The situation continues to improve on Let's Face It, the band's best batch yet, including its long-hoped-for breakthrough hit, "The Impression That I Get." Recorded on home turf in Cambridge, MA, the live album is a well-selected slam dance through the Bosstones' back catalogue.

The Bosstones of Pay Attention often sound less like a ska or punk band than a power-pop outfit with two saxophones and a trombone. And it's good power pop, despite the presence of a few too many "Impression That I Get" rewrites. A Jackknife to a Swan is the band's first album without founding guitarist Nate Albert, but the personnel change doesn't affect the music much. At this point, it seems very little could. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones have reached a level of dependable professionalism; expect them to be hardworking and fun, but don't expect many surprises. (MAC RANDALL)

From 2004's The New Rolling Stone Album Guide