MU330

Chumps On Parade (Dill)
by Valerie Lambert

Chumps On Parade has all the makings of a great ska album. It’s got upbeat, catchy ska rhythms mixed in with some old-fashioned punk rock. The problem is, every song on the album teeters precariously on the edge between greatness and mediocrity. In the tradition of Skankin’ Pickle, the songs are mostly all inconsistent within themselves. Whenever a song starts with a great rhythm, the chorus comes along, inevitably breaks the rhythm in some kind of way, and messes up the whole song. What’s up with that? There are a few songs that do remain constant, such as “State of Mind,” definitely one of the better songs on the album.

MU330 don’t write the best melodies in the world, but they do write great music to go underneath those sometimes disappointing vocals, so it does sort of balance out in the end. Chumps On Parade unfortunately fails my mix tape test (if I were making one, which song from the album would I include? From this album? None.) However, while there really isn’t a standout song here, the album as a whole is pretty good. While it’s not the best ska album EVER, it holds its own. If you like ska at all, Chumps On Parade is just good enough to keep you, if not wildly enthusiastic, then at least pretty satisfied.