For the last couple years, I’ve been saying that my favorite ska bands seem to come out of Wisconsin and Minnesota, a region that many people might not realize has one of the most thriving ska scenes. Bands like the Prizefighters, Space Monkey Mafia, Runaway Ricochet, Local Legends, and Something To Do are all bands whose recent albums I’ve fawned over in the last two to three years. While Courtesy of Tim is definitely not a new band, having put out music consistently since 2018, I had only a cursory knowledge of their music and did not realize they were also from Wisconsin. This EP Perennial changes that forever. They are definitely added to the list of amazing bands from the arctic Midwest.
The EP begins with a fun catchy horn rhythm and the drums accompany on the second pass; when the guitars finally jump in, the horn rhythm changes and doubles in pace. “Reintroduction” establishes a fun ska punk tempo, but then the vocals take over and establish themselves as the primary focus of the song. And what an incredible song it is! This is the bisexuality anthem everyone needed. The lyrics discuss the criticisms that bisexuality people often hear, addressing the idea of passing and of sexuality being a phase. It also comments on how being bi in a het-passing marriage doesn’t make anyone less bisexual. Your current and even permanent relationship status doesn’t change your orientation, and it’s important to be proud of who you are. The lyrics are powerful, the vocals are great, the horns are catchy and engaging. The horns feel like video game boss music at times; the rhythm drives forward through the song. The song includes a break and reset, and feels anthemic as it resolves. If I had to introduce you to one song to sell you on a band, this would be it!
“Net Negative” has more upbeat and uptempo rhythms at the beginning, but the vocal tone and melody definitely reshape the song to feel more melancholic. That theme lasts through the song as the horns manage to deliver a somber melody. “Afterparty” lets the bass take center stage early with a few breaks in every other instrument, establishing a thick bass melody maintained throughout the song. It’s a rare track where the structure is written intentionally to bring the listener’s ear to the bass. The song is solid, and focuses on community and comrades. The song ends on an extended instrumental portion that feels like a fun jam session.
“Tooth and Nail” is the single from the album. It’s a poignant criticism of modern society with the most punk heavy influences on the album, and the horns feel bigger and more epic throughout the track. The chorus in this song is so damn good, so I’m just gonna let it speak for itself:
“Those that braved the wicked race still had to take the back seat and last place, the first rat is still a rat and rats don’t build the maze. We didn’t sign up for the cause, they stuck a needle in a random paw. That ain’t right and that ain’t fair; well, rats don’t make the laws.”
You can take from that what you will, but I fucking love it.
The album closes with “Driftwood Dancefloor”, a solid song that is slower and balances out the upbeat ska punk tempo of the previous track. It’s a hopeful song about being happy and finding friends, love, or letting a relationship develop, with the theme “What will be will be”. Dance, enjoy yourself, enjoy your partner. Let yourself fall in love.
While “Tooth and Nail” and “Reintroduction” are definitely the highlights of the EP, all five songs are outstanding and worthy of listening on repeat. I feel like I’ve been making a mistake by not streaming Courtesy of Tim’s earlier music in relation for the last several years, but it’s a mistake I’ve learned from. This band is definitely added to my rotation.
Take a listen to Perennial below.
Written by Gimp Leg
