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Not since W.C. McCall has an artist
captured the glory of long-haul
overland trucking that Johnny Socko has in their newest release, Music
from the Major Motion Picture- Full Trucker Effect. When I saw Johnny Socko
for the first time, I realized that these were a bunch of guys who
were in it for the fun. Full Trucker Effect just
proves that point again. Full Trucker Effect is a brilliant and
eclectic collection songs that are loosely held together with some
bizarre 'movie' dialogue lifted
from some popular films, and altered to fit Socko's needs. No hints,
because trying to figure them out is 17/32's of
the fun. As far as the
musical portion of the album, it has something for everyone-
traditional ska, blue beat, ska/punk, polka, mariachi, rap,
and RAWK!!!, and most of
the
songs
deal in one way or another with trucking. Johnny Socko is just simply one of the most talented and versatile bands I've
heard. A hard driven compromise of trad and ska/punk, that is fueled
by amazing horns, and rhythm. For me it IS the incredible horns of Nils Fredland-
trombone, Demian Hostetter- trumpet/flugelhorn, Joshua Silbert- tenor and
baritone sax, and Philip
William's stellar bass that make them such a experience. Add
Michael Wiltrout's excellent vocals, Christopher
Smail's 'do-anything,
go-anywhere' guitar and Dylan Wissing's rock solid drumming,
and you have a superb blend of talent. One cannot
just break down Full Trucker Effect into highlights, because it is all good. I
will however go on record saying
a few things. Half Your Brain has a brilliant horn line, and
is a great work of political commentary. Shiznit
not only speaks of the
hassles of the road, but the melody perfectly
captures the crazy life as
well, not an easy thing to do. The same can be
said of Jackknife, although I don't know that from first hand
experience. Full Trucker Effect, the song, is just pur-dee punk
rap fun. The Beastie Boys wish they could do it as well as Johnny Socko does. Sour
Me, probably my favourite track, has everything. Great bass line, great
trumpet, great idiom, great vocals, great brass line,
great melody, great everything. And Hasselhoff! What can I say about Hasselhoff?
When my friend Leia heard Johnny Socko do Hasselhoff live, she giggled
for three days. Hey, it got them a sponsorship. So, in
case you haven't guessed, I really think you should get this
disc.
Keep on Truckin'!
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