Record Label: Hellcat Records
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The one thing Hellcat/Epitaph Records has always done well at was picking great ska bands to represent the record label. Bands like the Slackers, Pietasters, Hepcat, The Aggrolites, and now Westbound Train. I guess Tim Armstrong likes the 60’s reggae ska sound a lot. I haven’t heard the music from Westbound Train before, but knew they existed and have been playing tons of shows in the area. Westbound Train hails from the Boston area and has had 2 albums out before this one. In 2002, they released “Searching for A Melody” and in 2004, they released “Five To Two.” I’m disappointed in myself that I haven’t heard Westbound Train sooner because this band is great! Maybe now that I heard of these guys, it will get my quickly-aging ass to a ska show to dance to this band!

As soon as the album starts, I knew I was going to like Westbound Train. Their stuff is very danceable, and has that old ska/reggae/rocksteady sound from the 60’s & 70’s. Soul and jazz are also a big part of the band as well. Well I like the soul part but I’m just not a fan of jazz. Thankfully there aren’t that many jazzy parts in the album. Obviously you can’t help but think of the Slackers when you hear Westbound Train. That’s not a bad thing at all, because they just play a similar style of music. The vocals sound amazing and don’t get annoying at all. The horns and other band members sound tight and aren’t afraid to play some instrumentals & solos to demonstrate their talents. The songs that stand out are actually the first 4 tracks. “Please Forgive Me” might be their single for the album and I think it’s one of the best songs on the album. But the entire CD is filled with great songs that don’t disappoint at all. Alex Desert of Hepcat fame provides guest vocals for “Soul Revival” and “Fatty Boom Boom.” I wish Hepcat would get back together full-time and record some new music already! If you are looking for some new ska to check out, and like the old school rocksteady ska stuff, than Westbound Train is your band! This is definitely for fans of Hepcat, The Slackers, The Aggrolites and Skinnerbox.

Bottom Line: An excellent ska/reggae album filled with soulful songs that make you want to get your groove on.
Notable Tracks: Please Forgive Me, Good Enough, Sorry Mama, Fatty Boom Boom, When I Die
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