Various- Ska Skank Downunder Vol 2

This 2001 compilation of Australian ska was produced by The Porkers' record label. While the late 1990s and early 2000s saw a resurgance of 3rd wave bands inspired by Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, etc; this compilation mostly features stalwart ska bands from the 1980s and early 1990s.

There are 21 songs crammed onto this compilation (tracklist here), however it mainly focuses on a specific style of ska. Due to this choice of line-up the style tends to be more early 3rd wave (such as inspired by The Toasters), rather than the skate-punk influences on the more recent bands. Having said that, many of the lyrics are serious protests.

Highlights for me include the driving groove of Frustration, Big One and Breaking Up. Beergarden executes the contrasting sections very well, while Waste of Space is such a catchy tune. The cover of Leaving on a Jet Plane will probably disgust most John Denver fans, but I dig both the touching original and this cheesy ska version. Similarly, the final song, VB ska, throws in cheeky quotes to the classical songs Fanfare for the Common Man (aka "the channel 7 sports song" to most Aussies) and The Magnificent Seven theme (aka "the VB song" to most Aussies).

Favourite songs

Frustration (The Allniters), Beergarden (The Porkers), Big One (Blowhard), Leaving on a Jet Plane (Dr Raju), SFJ (Ska-men), Grey Skies (Strange Tenants), VB Ska (Loin Groin)

Worthwhile?

It's a nice snapshot of early 90s Australian ska, although really it's only for trainspotters of the genre.