In the ska scene, Boston, Massachusetts (and the East Coast in general) is probably best known for a certain grittiness and a punk or reggae vibe. Bands like the Bosstones, the Pilfers, Big D and the Kids Table, and the Slackers have all helped define the sound of the region. Pink Slip does not fit that mold. Instead, Pink Slip is a seven-piece pop ska band with a sound much more closely associated with California ska. But they are doing it as well as any band ever! The Pink Slip sound is somewhere between Save Ferris, Reel Big Fish, Half Past Two, and some Five Iron Frenzy. Meanwhile, the album also has some math-rocky vibes to it rather than pure punch and pop, so it feels a little like Runaway Ricochet or Poindexter mixed in as well.
Their newest album Bathtub Madonna leads off with “Bowling Alone”, beginning with big strong horns, drums, and guitars to match the opening rhythm. As the first phrase drops out, a rock and roll guitar slide fills the connection to the lead in for the first verse. The sound is promising and powerful.
It’s not unusual for ska – especially third wave pop ska – to have really upbeat rhythms with depressing vocals. This is no different, but the vocals here hit pretty hard and feel very current and relevant. Some of the vocals are about getting older and losing connections, or the world changing and a nostalgia for a world that once was. But it’s much more than that. The lyrics talk about being priced out of your old home and not being able to afford to live where you grew up, as well as phones making us more isolated and distant instead of bringing us together. The song blends personal isolation, depression, and the feeling of missing out with social systems that make the experience far more universal. Despite the song having some punchy horns, the tone of the song doesn’t contradict the message. They manage to blend upbeat rhythms with mournful tones to feel appropriate to the subject. The album is definitely off to a strong start.
“Backlash” feels like a step into unknown territory for the band. While many Pink Slip songs feature themes of mental health and even the external systems that stress our psychological well-being, this is the first song that feels aggressively political. Lines like the chorus “One step forward, ten steps back, it’s backlash” are consistent with previous songs, but later we get “Trying to tell me to pay taxes to these motherfucking fascists”. Suddenly we’ve entered new territory, and I am instantly more engaged. The song goes on to have an incredible verse with its own melody and rhyme scheme that absolutely rips. Definitely my favorite part of the whole album.
“Anthropocene” is a little less pop and a little more dark and moody. It has a little more saxophone and sits in lower tones, while largely singing about how humans – an inherently social species – are failing, fencing ourselves off, and abandoning community, all with a smooth fluid ska rhythm and specific lyrics that feel pleasant and natural.
“Finger Food” is much more of the pop ska and ska punk standard. and provides what is probably the easiest rhythm on the album to skank to.
“Jealousy is a Knife” is a more aggressive ska punk track, with some distortion added, more aggressive guitars throughout and big, powerful horns, letting the seven pieces show out. The aggressive and distorted nature adds a lot to the album by mixing up genres and adding solid diversity through the album. Plus, the line “And these knives cut deep” is a great finish.
“Sick and Tired” was first released as a single a year ago; I wrote a full review of that song last October. I won’t rehash that review, but suffice to say I’ve been excitedly awaiting this album since it dropped. Horn-heavy, great vocals, and danceability: I love it.
The album ends on a very punk heavy note with the title track “Bathtub Madonna”, which includes a lot of introspection, reflection, and self-criticism while also talking about the failures of someone in a failed relationship. It’s such a good send-off for the album and definitely leaves you wanting more.
At nine tracks, this is the perfect album for showcasing Pink Slip’s strengths, diversity, and lyricism, and it also leaves room for the listener to crave more. Take a listen to Bathtub Madonna below.
Written by Gimp Leg
