The Best of Times in Bloomington, MN

New York '80s hardcore goofballs
Murphy's Law
usher in the '90s with a reinvigorated blast of their debauchery-laced brand of comedic punk. Stylistically,
makes quite a jump on
The Best of Times
. The band did dabble in skacore long before it exploded, but was always pretty much a flat-out hardcore unit in the '80s.
finds
Jimmy Gestapo
and friends combining funk, reggae, ska, and hardcore into their own distinct brew, shedding any dogmatic restrictions applied to their ilk in the '80s. Production by
Fishbone
's
John "Norwood" Fisher
and
Philip "Fish" Fisher
lends authenticity and diversity to
, as does the added instrumentation by several members of
. The result is a more versatile version of
at the prime of the band's fun-focused glory. Covers of
James Brown
Stevie Wonder
provide some insight into
's sometimes controversial and misunderstood affiliation with the skinhead faction, finally putting to rest any allegations that racism or fascism have anything to do with the band's outlook. Although the group manages to shed this stereotype and expand musically on
, the subject matter doesn't otherwise stray too far from earlier work. Songs about pot, beer, girls, and cars showcase the glorious immaturity and quest for fun that pretty much define
. When the band does get serious, which isn't very often, it's in the interest of unity and friendship. The title track is basically a fan tribute, thanking a small but loyal group of followers for the support that's enabled
to continue the party. The ska-tinged but heavy
"1%"
revels in the outcast-minded punk rock ethos, giving nod to those who embrace the good and bad of surfing the fringe of culture and society. Classic
rage surfaces on
"Harder Than Who,"
an attack on the mindless aggression and competition that sometimes rule the hardcore scene. On the whole,
lives up to its title, with
celebrating its dedication to the band's fans, friends, and music, while maintaining the edge that gave the group its NYC hardcore credibility. ~ Paul Henderson