Rating: NN
As a 25-year-old ska institution wardened by Rob “Bucket” Hingley, the Toasters are more brand than band. When only one member remains constant through 16 albums, countless lineup changes and a zillion world tours over a quarter-century, the question becomes What did Hingley do this time and who’d he hire to do it with? Newest member Jason Nwagbaraocha (bass and contributing vocals) has a strong presence on tracks What A Gwan and Where’s The Freedom?, infusing some dancehall energy into Hingley’s well-trodden two-tone formats. Same goes for ex-Mighty Bosstone Chris Rhodes, playing a T-bone with hot-headed Bostonian vigour. Still, it’s barely enough to prop up Bucket, who soldiers through tedious genre exercises like Run Rudy Run Redux.
Toasters skank it up at Lee’s on Friday (May 11).
