It completely slipped under my radar that Steppin’ Razor Blades’ new album Stay Sharp released on May 22. This is their debut album, so it wasn’t that big of a surprise that it escaped my notice. But that didn’t last long: A few people shared it, a writer I like praised the album in a review, and a few friends said they loved it. I couldn’t let that pass: I simply had to hear this album. So I streamed it on my way to work. Then again on my drive home. Then when I got home. Then before I went to bed.
Okay… Maybe all those people are on to something.
Steppin’ Razor Blades are from New England, with members from all over the region. Their style is a blend of two-tone and ska punk, with vibes ranging from the 1980s to today. There’s a healthy dose of keyboard sounds over the usual big punchy horns that you might hear in third-wave favorites like Reel Big Fish or Mustard Plug. But the brass still comes through where it counts.
The album kicks off with “Friend to a Memory”, with an initial horn riff that immediately reminds me of ’80s two-tone. But the guitars and drums feel much more aggressive and punk, while the upstroke ska rhythm is quick; the juxtaposition between styles feels good. The vocals also call back to the ’80s with an often stunted and syncopated pacing. The song is about the pain of growing older and losing a friend, and the pain of trying to stay friends with the ghost of a memory. The song features a fairly long instrumental bridge that alternates between horns and keyboards. It’s definitely a good starting song that hooks you in to keep listening.
“In Stereo” is a fun song that is — unsurprisingly — best enjoyed in stereo. It’s certainly the best mixed and mastered track on the record: The music through headphones is a completely different experience than listening to it on my phone speaker. The horns are a little quieter; in fact, the song feels a little more like garage rock and ska. Continuing with the stereo theme: The track is about being in love and having two lives and hearts beating “in stereo”.
“Ska Boy/Ska Girl” is likely a fan favorite from the album: It has a two-tone rhythm that wants you on the floor and dancing, although it does have mixed in a smooth and ethereal quality. The song’s about coming together and putting in the work to create unity and working-class solidarity. Just like two different styles working as one, it’s important for us all to put our boots on the ground, go into the community, and make a difference.
“Mundane” feels a lot like “Friends to a Memory”, in that it is much faster than the surrounding songs. The horns and keys, however, feel more two-tone. The song is about monotony and redundancy, which makes it fitting to match the vibe of the opening track. Regardless of its similarity to “Friends to a Memory” — or perhaps because of it — the style of “Mundane” grabs your attention and forces you to listen.
The last track I’ll feature is “Breakneck Speed”, which starts with drums, a different intro from the rest of the album’s tracks. It again has more of an ’80s feel, reminding me more of Devo at times. The track is about going to a club and dancing, but going home alone. And the song doesn’t frame that as a bad thing: To be honest, I love that the song makes it explicitly clear that the goal of going out isn’t to find someone to hook up with. Sometimes it’s all about going out, having fun, and getting home safe.
Overall, Stay Sharp is just solid, wholesome, and fun two-tone ska punk jams that are well-produced. I understand why people were fawning over the album. It has its own unique sound, and it definitely hearkens back to the two-tone era in a way that other modern two-tone bands don’t. This year has seen brand new two-tone influenced music from groups like The Doomstompers, Harry Katz and the Pistachios, Bad Operation, and The Chains. Yet all those bands have a very different interpretation of two-tone than what we get from Steppin’ Razor Blades.
If you’re in the mood for something different but also familiar, this new album is a great listen. Check out Stay Sharp below.
Written by Gimp Leg
