Record Label: Yeti Music
Genre: Ska Punk
Band Link: link
Buy on Amazon.com

A Is For Ape’s sound is what I’d call rock-with-horns – think skapunk without the edge. But they make it work with sunny poppiness and clean, Bosstones-like brasswork. I also like that they avoid immature goofiness and emo tendencies that plague today’s ska-influenced rock; I chalk it up to their being from the UK.

The band’s weak point, but not a dealbreaker, is the vocals, which sound strained and are inflected with an unfortunate rock swagger.

The music is happy and feel-good and the first two songs are solid rockers. The third track incorporates a more downtempo upbeat with mixed success – they gain ska points, but the 5-minute duration and forced-sounding chantalong chorus is a chore.

I give the band credit for playing music that hasn’t been popular since 1997 and for having horn players who know what they’re doing. I’d be willing to hear more.

Bottom Line:
Notable Tracks:
Overall Rating: