Reviews – Can’t Contain It
Photo 2013 by Bryan Kremkau
THEPUNKSITE.COM
by Cole Faulkner
rating: 4.5/5
It’s hard to believe, but Michigan skankers Mustard Plug have been partying it up for over two decades. And while they may have taken their time since 2007’s In Black And White, just like that crusty tip on the end of a mustard tube that never goes away, Mustard Plug is back. Still waving the brass banner, team yellow is a true living legend of the 90’s ska age – like Reel Big Fish but upholding their musical dignity. Album number eight marks not only an important numeric milestone, but also a return to the DIY ethic that the band was built on.Having fully funded the album through Kickstarter, Mustard Plug partnered with No Idea Records to handle the release after parting ways with longtime home Hopeless Records. That the band had complete creative control of Can’t Contain It from start to finish is clear with every horn blast and passing minute. This is Mustard Plug the way you remember them – unhinged and ready for the punk rock dance hall.
While In Black And White became known as the band’s “serious” album, Can’t Contain It returns to the fun loving basics. If past classics like “Not Enough” (a personal favourite from Yellow #5) are your thing, then Can’t Contain It will not disappoint. “We Came To Party” sets the tone with its goofy, upbeat tone that serves more as a mission statement than an opening track. That’s where “The All-Nighter” picks up with a catchy, carefree upstroke meets bouncing organ, meets Mustard Plug’s oh-so-tight brass section. That the band references Cheap Girls by name in their account of sweaty basement shows doesn’t even feel forced. “Aya Aye Aye” follows as that perfect third wave ska sing along song that really justifies all the horns blasts. With so many sing along anthems to choose from, you’ll be bobbing your head and tapping your toes to the likes of “It’s You,” “Perfect Plan,” and “Bang!” right from the get go.
While Can’t Contain It will be known first and foremost as a party album, the seasoned sextet also pulls out some varied tempos to balance out all fourteen tracks. “Burn It Down” slightly slows down and places a focus on bass over treble to match the darker subject matter. “Blame Yourself’s” self-defeating content comes flashed up in anthemic fashion, while “Gone and Faded” puts the upstrokes on hold for the album’s most melodic tune (which might have spelled the downturn of Less Than Jake to many, but works well here in sparing doses). “Twist The Knife” even throws in a full on guitar solo – and it works.
Inevitably some critics will beg the question of stylistic progression. Whether or not the album is a musical step forwards or backwards is irrelevant – Can’t Contain It just sounds right. Mustard Plug has never sounded tighter – ever. When speaking about a band that has always managed to outperform its prior works, the bar just got higher.
Is it crazy to predict that a third wave ska record released in 2014 will make it to people’s year-end lists? Perhaps. But the strength of Can’t Contain It makes that a bet I would be willing to take.
THE HORN
by Maeri Ferguson
Ska music could be described as an acquired taste, but when you get the chance to listen to Michigan band Mustard Plug’s new record Can’t Contain It, you literally will not be able to contain yourself. A dance album from start to finish, the energy is high and the horns are blasting. Opening track “We Came to Party” establishes the infectious vibe of their sound with an exuberant “hey, ho” chant punctuating their every guitar riff. Even the song titles suggest late night debauchery – from “The All-Nighter” and “Shakin’ it Up,” to “Bang!” and “Aye Aye Aye.” If ever there was a live show to attend, I’ll bet it’s this one. They never tone it down, not even for a second, keeping the crazed party going throughout. “It’s You” is a standout for its blend of pop punk and punchy pauses—a true Ska love song if ever there was one.FOR THE LOVE OF PUNK
by Chris Roob
It has been 7 years since Mustard Plug‘s last album, they are continuing into their 22nd year as a band, and their eighth and latest album kicks major ass. Mustard Plug strikes again as they bring us the classic third-wave ska that we all know and love. The album is called Can’t Contain It and let me tell you that I could not contain my head from bobbing up and down as I listened to all fourteen tracks. This entire album is a testament to Mustard Plug’s constant achievement of making their audience dance, sing, and have a damn good time while listening to their music.“We Came To Party” is the name of the first track on the record and it certainly is a great introduction to the album. Although it sounds a bit different from any Mustard Plug we have heard in the past, its lyrics and background make it clear that this band is ready to party and live it up on the album. Now, when track two rolls around, it’s time to start dancing. “All Nighter” is the song that really kicks off the album and gets you moving with the four-on-the-floor kick drum and groovy horn line.
Can’t Contain It really sounds like a new Mustard Plug. They have some darker songs and some real rock n’ roll songs that create a nice change of feel throughout the album. The songs “Aye Aye Aye” and “Twist The Knife” both have a somewhat darker feel to them, which sits in an interesting juxtaposition to the temptation to dance during them. It creates a really cool vibe. Then on the other hand “White Noise,” “Shakin It Up” and “It’s You” are all songs that are driven by a distorted guitar with a classic rock n’ roll feel while the horns complement so nicely and fit so well that it just sounds natural. Even though some of these songs have different feels to them, Can’t Contain It flows along extremely well.
As Mustard Plug inevitably gets older as a band and as people, they start to write deeper and more meaningful songs to reflect their experiences in life. “Gone And Faded” is the first song on the album that really struck me as mature when I heard it. The vocal melody, guitar progressions, and subtle organ contribute to a feeling of serenity that kind of rushes over you because it is so calm and pleasing to the ear (you will just have to listen for yourself). “Perfect Plan” is one other track on the album that is rather sad and quiet. It came from the heart and is a serious song about a relationship that didn’t turn out the way it was planned. The horns, the drums, and vocals all use incredible dynamics to create a strong emotion of sadness for this tune. I really applaud Mustard Plug for their ability to make the happiest music and then are able to tone it down when they want express different emotions.
I would like to take a moment to praise my favorite song on Can’t Contain It. The moment that I heard the ska guitar with a solo horn line, I knew I was in for a treat. “What Does She Know?” is the name of the song and after I heard it, I was a changed man. First of all, it is hilarious and super creative to incorporate a vocal horn line into a song. Second, this song is PERFECT to skank to; the organ, the drums, the bass groove, the guitar, and the simple horn line just command the audience to dance. Lastly, it is super fluid,well done and a “must hear” track on the album.
Mustard Plug have created a masterpiece once again. All fourteen songs are in a smooth order with excellent flow, it is well produced, and exceeded any expectation I had. Hopefully we will see a tour in support of the new album but, regardless, I highly recommend checking out this album. You will not be disappointed.
PUNKNEWS.ORG
by bigmondo
rating: 4/5
Mustard Plug is one of the very few ska bands still left in the game these days and thus far they’ve held up rather well, actually improving with age. In fact, they were a band I wrote off for years as I felt their earlier releases weren’t all too impressive, not really putting out something worthwhile until 1997’s Evildoers Beware. Since then, they’ve improved their sound with each release but it wouldn’t be until 2007’s In Black and White where they would put out, what I consider, their career defining release.In 2007, the band put out what is arguably their best release to date. Since then, the band has maintained an active touring presence but in the last 7 years remained quiet on the physical output until the release of their latest album, Can’t Contain it.
The album has a high energy to it, which I love. it’s definitely something I can blast when I need some extra motivation to get shit done. It’s a bit more cheery than their last release which I find to be both good and bad. The latter because I rather enjoyed the band delving into some darker, politically charged territory which they didn’t really do this much this time around. The former because despite me wanting darker subject material sometimes you just need to do what feels right and for Mustard Plug a happy album just feels right. I mean, I guess I am being nitpicky complaining that a ska band is too happy in 2014. I should just be content that there are still some ska bands left to begin with.
There are some killer jams on this one. My favorite songs are “Bang”, “Gone and Faded,” and “The All-Nighter”. The latter of which name drops Cheap Girls, and any song that mentions those dudes is a winner in my book.
Mustard Plug proves that they can still deliver the goods even 20+ years into their career as Can’t Contain It is easily in my top 3 releases from the band. Now that they’ve partnered with No Idea I hope I won’t have to wait another 7 years for a new record. If you are one of the few people left who enjoys ska of the third wave variety this record is definitely worth your money.
SHAKEFIRE.COM
by Lee Robert
Can’t Contain It by the band Mustard Plug is their 8, yes eighth, album that the band has produced. If that’s not enough let me further explain that the band is also starting their 23rd, again yes twenty-third, year as being a band. This ska-punk band was formed back in 1991 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and since then from what I can find out they have been producing records and touring. This new album was my first introduction to this band and for that first introduction I think they make for a good impression. This music is the kind of music that is listened to when someone wants to have fun, to have their mood brightened, or want to sing along with some lyrics that will pep you up.Pep up is exactly what this music did for me when I first started listening to it and as I continued to listen to it I grew to like it more and more. Mustard Plug might be going on their 23rd year as a band but they have a youthful vibrancy to their music but skill of all those years of playing. One track in particular tells it all for this band, "We Came To Party" because the songs are very upbeat, there’s a lot of energy being put into the songs, and they make you want to dance and sing along as the songs are played out. It’s clear that these guys like to have fun playing their music and it comes across very clear in the music.
Some of the other noticeable parts to their music is the trumpet that’s played by Brandon Jenison and the trombone of Jim Hofer. Not a unique or unheard of set of instruments to be used for bands but they do use them where they stand out in the songs. I liked these horns the most, well maybe they come in second after the fun sound and the lyrics, but the horns give the songs a sound that makes them stand out. They do have a party style to their music where this would be good to play when wanting to have fun but it also works for just sitting around, not so much so for when wanting a quiet moment because there is just too much energy in the songs for anyone to just sit still for while listening. Even though the songs have a similar structure with some similar sounds being used, the songs as a whole have enough of a variance in the sounds that they are different from one another. I like how the vocals are easily understood while also still have a good pace to them where they never get stale. Can’t Contain It is just a fun album to listen to with fun songs and fun lyrics that are easily understood and sung along with.
