Incredible Dead Goons- In Chronological Order

The Incredible Dead Goons were an Australian kinda-ska-kinda-swing-kinda-funk band from the early 2000s. This is their first CD (of which the internet has no copy of the cover art, so I'll have to scan my own copy someday), released in 2002 after they had been going for a few years.

Since the band were associated with the ska scene, I instinctively approached this CD as a ska album. But it turns out that their style is hard to pigeonhole. Featuring an extensive horn section (including baritone... kudos for that!), they drift between ska, swing and funk. The recording quality of said horn section is poor on this CD, often sounding thin. Aside from this, the album sounds very good, considering it's the first effort from an indy band.

My favourite moments come when the band is in full swing mode, such as Run Fat Tony, Hogan and Taboo (a great modern interpretation of bebop). In these songs, I would say their style is similar to Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's first album.

Funk isn't really my cup of tea, but Hungry and Persiatown are competent efforts. A stronger ska influence is noticed in Let's Hit The Town Tonight and the instrumental Ming, which are both similar to Voodoo Glow Skulls at their finest.

Sunshine is a sickly sweet song, like the theme song to a tacky soap opera. Yuk.

Most songs have an experimental prog-rock element to them, and their following album was much more experimental. Sometimes it's at odds with otherwise smooth swing songs (Run Fat Tony), but it adds an interesting element.

Finally, Kevin takes the wackiness level off the charts, throwing in bits of polka, ska, prog rock and even the Russian/Polish (I forget which) national anthem!

Favourite songs

Let's Hit the Town Tonight, Run Fat Tony, Taboo, Ming, Hogan, Kevin

Worthwhile?

If you have any maturity in your musical tastes, you'll probably hate it. Therefore I really like it...