While I normally cut some slack for the recording quality of local bands who have saved up their pocket money to record a CD for their fans, however no such concession is needed here. Both live and on their recordings, Oiska are a very "tight" band, playing everything very crisply and with some great layering. However, the tuning of the horns is quite hit and miss on this CD; sometimes it's fine, other times the horns are badly out of tune with each other. Aside from this, I really like the "wholegrain" horn sound on this recording, it is far better than the plastic sound often used in third-wave ska (eg Reel Big Fish). All the instruments are well recorded, a highlight for me is the sharp and bouncy drums- both in recording and playing style.
At this stage of their career, Oiska were mainly playing instrumental songs, with many horn solos. The opening track, Front Bottom, is a great example of their creamy-smooth style and infectious ska beat. Jerk Pork Skank and Oiska (the final song) were crowd favourites, however on the CD they come across as a bit simple and uninspiring.
To show their range, Unjumpable Shrubbery includes sections of a melancholic instrumental ballad, which contrasts the fantastic bouncing rocksteady beat of Police Woman.
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