Nothin' But the Good Stuff

artist: Rude City Riot |  genre: power ska, punk, reggae | label: Skaspot/Stomp

In the midst of a rather busy show schedule this past summer, the Kings of Canadian Ska somehow found the time to record, master and release their debut, full-length album.  How do they do it!? Do these cats ever sleep!?!?  As the saying goes, “all good things to come to who wait, but only the things left behind by those who hustle” and you’d be hard pressed to find a band who hustles more than Rude City Riot.  Without a doubt these cats are on adrenalin overload 24 – 7…good thing for us it translates well into their music!
Their latest studio release is also their first full length album entitled Nothin’ But Time…and it is indeed a gem.  We have been following this band for a while and have been duly impressed all along the way with their unique blend of ska, rock and a little reggae vibe thrown in there for good measure.  Think the energy and intensity of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones coupled with the soulfulness of The Specials and you’d be close.  In addition to being the title track, ‘Nothin’ But Time’ jumps in fast and furious and really sets the tone for the RCR brand of power ska that your friends at Froglix have come to know and love.  That song is unquestionably bad ass.  Equally impressive are tracks like ‘It’s Raining’, ‘Rudies Don’t Care’ and ‘Pray for You’ that all sport more of a traditional 2 Tone vibe.  ‘The Reaper’, which swings even further to the dub side of the spectrum, is simply marvelous music.
Before hearing this album, we knew these boys good jam out on some high octane tuneage so to be able to experience the cooler side of their ska pillow just added to our already high opinion of this band.  Two thumbs way up for both RCR and Nothin’ But Time.

– Drago