Artist: 3 Minute Warning
Album: Tramps Jackpot
Label: Do The Dog Music
With Tramps Jackpot, UK ska-punk group 3 Minute Warning has produced ten songs of bouncy ska-punk goodness. While there are moments throughout the album that draw immediate comparisons to The Specials, The Clash and Rancid, 3 Minute Warning generally sounds original and fresh. Rough but understandable vocals, an optimistic guitar upstroke, and various musical influences make them everything a ska-punk band should be. The band's use of keyed instruments is of particular interest. I often criticise many ska bands for abusing their organ. Naturally an interesting instrument, when a band's organ simply drones in the background the sound becomes obnoxious and repetitive. 3 Minute Warning address the issue by swapping back and forth between an organ and piano. Consequently, the piano's gentle key strokes provide a welcome contrast to the organ's traditional hum. While in some songs the band strictly uses the piano or organ, some tracks, like "In Your Face," "Can of Worms," and "TV is On," feature both instruments. The result is a rich, layered soundscape providing just enough diversity to fully appreciate both instruments.
Lyrically the band doesn't push the envelope, but they also don't offend their listeners' intelligence. They have their songs like "Hangover" and "Weekend Waster" about hangovers and being lazy, but they also have tracks like "Can of Worms" and "Lost Cause" that briefly discuss social issues and societal problems. These tracks won't likely motivate listeners to take up arms in defense of their ideals, but they do help characterise 3 Minute Warning as a band with a social conscious.
Tramps Jackpot provides a playful ten song playlist suitable for light hearted afternoons. Ska-punk enthusiasts won't find anything terribly new here, but the organ-piano combination makes 3 Minute Warning's debut an interesting and memorable listen.
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