Good ska music is a pretty rare find these days. Sure, you can still dust off the classics-- bands like the Articles and the Skalars undeniably put out some first class shit. But if you're aching for new, good ska music, you'd probably have better luck trying to find a copy of "The Bridges of Madison County" on Kid Rock's tour bus.

First off, it's hard enough for most bands to get a handle on that whole "good" thing. I've always said that guitar shops should force would- be musicians to take some kind of talent exam before they sell them any instruments, but no one listens to me. They still dish equipment out to just anybody.

Secondly, there's a whole mess of problems with ska itself-- it's a genre that seems to contradict itself at every turn. Rock instruments playing with a dance- music beat, punk- style attitude played with a reggae groove, harmonies backing up rap vocals. Sure, it doesn't make much sense on paper, but when done right, it works wonders. It can force the angry to smile, bridge the gap between punk and funk, and make the snottiest of snot- nosed kids get up and wanna shake their groove thang. It's party music for people who are not party people.

That's why a band like Common Rider is such a great find. Not only do they play good ska music, but they're also fronted by former Operation Ivy guy Jesse Michaels. I mean, these guys definitely graduated from U-Ska with honors. They have all their basics down; control of their instruments, interesting songwriting, and solid vocals and harmonies. Now, this is all well and good, but the thing that makes Last Wave Rockers a truly decent listen is the band's style. These guys switch it on straight- up old- school all the way.

The album's opener, "Classics of Love," sounds right out of London, 1979 with its staccato, rap verses and smooth, bass driven choruses. Pure classic ska... ah yes... it soothes the nerves. In fact, all these songs are upbeat, focusing on happy, teenager- ish stuff like music, partying, and girls that are easy to love. In short, the basics of slacker life. "Classics" is a clever, two- and- a- half minute- long groove- tribute to the band's favorite music and musicians-- everyone from the Clash to Ella Fitzgerald. It's followed up by "Castaways," which whips out speedy, precise drumming and surf- rock guitar riffs to kick the party vibe into higher gear. "Signal Signal" slows things down a bit, but still manages to work those hip- grinding bass lines deep into the fabric of the song. But then, the next track sounds sorta like "Classics of Love."

Unfortunately, that pattern you're so cleverly detecting carries on throughout the album. Instead of being a mere one trick pony, this band is a three- trick- pony, and that's pretty much ends the album's chances of being anything other than "a really good ska record." See, great music crosses genres, and therein lies the problem with kickin' it old- school-- there's only such much you can do with it. That is, after all, why they call it "old" school. Sure, these guys make sure they have all their bases covered, but after that, there's just no where for them to go. Don't get me wrong, this stuff is as tasty as vanilla ice cream, but it's still just vanilla ice cream. For this album to have been truly great, the band should have really mixed things up and thrown a slice of apple pie in with the meal.

Last Wave Rockers does have its share of standouts, though. "Rise of Fall" is a gem based on its sheer catchiness alone. The band mixes up their sound a bit by distorting the guitars for an edgier feel while keeping the clever riffs and vocal intact. It's a formula that works. Common Rider even manages to toss out a couple of songs that are almost full- fledged punk ("A Place Where We Can Stay" and "Heatseekers"). However, the biggest twist on the album is the closer, "Angels at Play," a poppy, twangy tune that seems truly heartfelt. Still, it's a simple case of too little, too late.

If you consider yourself a hardcore "ska-lastic" (whoa-- slow this comedy train down!), you'll wet yourself over this album. If you're like the rest of us, it gets a little old after a while. I mean, no matter how phat the party is, you gotta go home sometime.

-Steven Byrd