The Bruce Lee Band

Everything Will Be Alright, My Friend (2014)

kfrench

Nearly 20 years after their first full length album, The Bruce Lee Band releases a second LP, Everything Will Be Alright My Friend. This time Mike Park is joined by Mike Huguenor of Hard Girls, Jeff Rosenstock of Bomb the Music Industry!, and Kevin Higuchi of The Chinkees. This album is the perfect example of Mike Park's songwriting abilities. The songs are catchy and the lyrics are meaningful. It's some of the finest ska punk I've heard in a while. However, the album brings more than just ska punk to the table. Songs such as "Generations" and "Lovely Pictures" rely on more punk influences than ska while "Be Alright" is straight up reggae.

To be honest, I can't really pick out any songs that I would deem unfavorable. Each song has unique qualities that make them good. A personal favorite of mine is "Generations." It features Jesse Michaels of Operation Ivy and Classics of Love on guest vocals and I feel that it is one the strongest songs on the album both musically and lyrically. Another top pick would have to be "Occupy the Love," which the album opens with. The song is reminiscent of 90s third wave ska music. The organ on the track is a nice touch as well.

This is a great album for ska punk fans. I hope that Mike Park continues to put out new Bruce Lee Band material more often than he has been. With a great album like this, putting out the occasional EP every now and then isn't enough.