Album Notes

It's always a nice surprise when a new ska band crops up and they actual have an original sound. Such is the case with '2Tone Lizard Kings'. Funny name, I know, but they dish out some serious musical talent. With their sophomore effort 'Primeval Itch', the band has really honed in on their sound and style. Hailing from Arizona, the band brings the dry dirty heat with them, very reminiscent of some vintage Jamaican tunes. Now, they are not re-hashing old ska music and making it their own, like some many other “revival” bands these days, no these guys are very much the epitome of “influenced by...” which so many bands today don't understand. Don't recreate, but take notes and be influenced by your loves, then make it your own. With the first track “My Street”, you can hear the obvious mid-nineties sound that defined U.S. ska! Driving horns, catchy chorus and some wailing guitar solo. Then they move to some organ heavy based melodies on “Ska Jones”, with some bouncy swing stylings. Very much makes you want to “do the ska”. But wait there's more, the band drops solid reggae tunes like “You Hurt My Soul” and “Lovin' Is Gone” and even some of that “dirty” reggae that everyone is loving these days, with “C.I.A.”. Basically this band takes you on a full island tour of Jamaican, up through England and smack back down into the middle of the United States. Ska music 101 class anyone! Rock 'n' Roll + Blues + Reggae + Ska = damn good music!

2Tone Lizard kings are a great new strong band! With a wonderful variety of talent and musical stylings without sounding contrived. They keep each song to its own sound and don't try to squash all genres into every song like many of the 90s bands, that made them fail so. So if you want some new tunes, that will definitely make your dancehall dance, then give these guys a spin and you'll sure to not disappoint yourself or your dance partner!