Stop The Presses is doing it right. It’s as simple as that. Each of their releases since their humble beginnings in South Florida have been extremely diverse, showcasing growth and a maturing sound with each album. Got It, out now on Jump Up Records, shows that Stop The Presses still have some tricks up their sleeve. What results, is another evolution of the band’s sounds, and easily their best album to date.
Got It starts things off with a bang on “Make The Best Of It.” It’s an up tempo ska song with ethereal, outer space-like effects woven throughout the song. It’s an anthem for living your best life. No matter what happens in life, the world keeps spinning, so Stop The Presses urge the listener to not give up and to keep spinning right along with the world. Honestly, this song is the band just showing off a bit. It’s a taste at what they’re about to give us throughout the rest of the seven tracks on the album. Multi-part vocal harmonies? Check. Guitar work that floats between ska, funk, soul, and psychedelic rock? You bet. Pounding bass and drums providing the backbone for everything we’re about to listen to? Oh yeah.
Taking a cue from the song’s lyrics, Stop The Presses made the best of their recording sessions and released gold.
Speaking of the recording sessions, this album was the band’s second to be produced by Agent Jay, also known as the guitarist for The Slackers and the mastermind behind Crazy Baldhead. You can definitely hear his influence from time to time while listening to the album. I honestly hope the band just records with Jay from here on out because it feels like they all just get each other. One of my favorite things Jay did on this album is capture the experience of going to see the band live. Stop The Presses make magic live, and Jay figured out how to bring that magic to this studio record.
While ska has an unfair reputation of being silly music, the songs on Got It crush that perception completely. On “Swords,” for instance, the band is pleading for peace. There’s a soaring hopefulness to the song. The plea is for everyone to lay down their arms to get closer to peace. One of the beautiful things about this song is how you decide to interpret it. Sure, there are conflicts all around the world, but each of us have personal conflicts to. I don’t think you necessarily need to listen to this song in absolute terms. The message can be universal. If we step back, reflect, and put our weapons down (whether they be real or internal defense mechanisms), the war is that much closer to being over.
On the last album, Stop the Presses covered Oingo Boingo. This time around, they have Bikini Kill’s “Rebel Girl” in their sights.
The intro of their rendition immediately gave me Dolly Parton “9 to 5” vibes. Intentional or not, I think it’s pretty awesome Dolly Parton came to mind because she’s a rebel girl in her own right as well. “Rebel Girl” is a feminist punk anthem. It’s a song that holds so much weight and importance for the entire Riot Grrrl movement. Stop The Presses did the song, Bikini Kill, and the movement, proud. Hopefully, their cover helps usher in a brand new generation of rebel girls.
At a brisk 30 minutes, Got It never overstays its welcome, while also leaving you wanting more. It’s the perfect length. All killer, no filler as Sum 41 might say. This album is an absolute gem. While it’s a ska album at its heart, it’s so much more. The kind of album that crosses boundaries and transcends genres. It’s a special release to be sure.
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