Buck
(self titled)
Tattoo Records
1999

Hailing from Detroit, Michigan comes the ska band Buck--"Another ska band!?" you interrupt in shock. Yep, add another band to the trio of successful Christian ska bands. It really makes you wonder how there's possibly enough room for all these bands, but I think Buck brings a younger and certainly fresher blood to the genre. Their style varies from third wave ska to swing, and the sound is tight and well polished. Mark Nash, formerly of PFR, heads up production and the band gets some additional help from Matt Slocum (Sixpence) on Cello and Mark Byrd (Common Children) and Joel Hanson (formerly of PFR) doing background vocals. These young guys, ranging from 18-23, are serious about reaching youth for Christ. They have an intense desire to encourage Christians and share Christ. "We're trying to emphasize the reality of being a Christian, the every day commitment and responsibility involved--it's not just about going to church," says cornet player Al Brown. And they state that loud and clear with the song "Next" which will be the title track for an upcoming follow up album to last year's WWJD project, "What's next?/Reaching hands out to the helpless/Fill pockets of the poor/What's next?/Giving mercy to the sinner/Forgiving a little more." Overall it's a quality album that will be a refreshing addition to the ska scene. (Kevin H.)