Band: Beat Soup
Album: Miriam Your Toast is Burning
Reviewer: Glen Smyth

Beat Soup have been around since 1992 and Miriam is their second CD, but you could be forgiven for never having heard of them. This Boston band hasn't had the exposure of bands from the same city such the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Bim Skala Bim and to be honest it's because they aren't as good. There is that familiar Boston sound in this CD, and I tried to enjoy it, but it just isn't really my thing.

The lyrics are about nothing much at all and for a ska album it sounds way too poppy for me. In saying that, if you like a catchy dominant horn section then Beat Soup definitely offers that. I expect they would offer a much better live experience than you get from this album.

Highlight track of the CD is the title track, "Miriam Your Toast is Burning" and is really the only song I like. It has an energetic live feel that is not found on the rest of the album. It doesn't deal with any hard hitting issue, but it's a bit of fun.

All in all this album is rather disappointing. I'm sure it would appeal do ska/pop fans, but there's just nothing that leaps out and grabs someone like me, who sticks to more of a traditional ska sound, unless I hear something overly good. And for those just getting into ska, buy a Laurel Aitken or Specials CD instead, you'll definitely be glad you did.

Beat Soup's Official Website - http://www.beatsoup.com