From start to finish, this is a high energy romp with the tongue firmly planted in cheek. The subject matter often covers serious issues- such as financial woes, relationship dramas and corruption- but in a brilliantly whimsical fashion. Musically, though, while their debut EP was pretty run-of-the-mill ska (not that there's anything wrong with that!), this album shows a sophistication rarely seen in third-wave ska bands.
99% Fat's signature combination of fast-paced ska with cock-rock is brilliantly executed in Das Ist Muncher, The Right Mind and Muntsville. Clever horn lines are also a highlight of many songs, such as Retreat Mafia, Board and Wine and Munstville. The integration and layering of the horn parts is in another league to the cheesy tacked-on horn lines typically used by ska bands, and makes for a wonderful richness.
Boar and Wine is an all-time favourite for me, as a brilliant pisstake of classical music meets ska, which somehow blends to make a really cool style. The instrumental outro brings together great horn lines, clever use of a fake chorus, brilliant groove increases in intensity led by the drums and epic guitar shredding; these all add up to an exhilarating musical experience.
The next track up is the silliest track on the album, Creamy Dreamy, which is a very abrupt transition, but they're both great songs so I shouldn't complain. Driven by funky hammond organ, throughout the song there are silly little references to other songs. This funky edge is also present on The Right Mind.
Things get a bit ballad-esque for Gone Fishin', and the album finishes with a cover of Australian Crawl's "Boys Light Up". 99% Fat's version is a respectful cover, maintaining the raw Clash-esque style of the original, while adding dashes of the band's own personality, such as the hammond organ.
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