Band: Commissioner Gordon
Album: Get in the Car
Reviewer: Glen Smyth

The first thing you notice about "Get in the Car" is the catchy and sometimes dominant horn lines and the great Aussie vocals of Ted. There are plenty of critics of Aussie vocals, but if you aren't a septic or a pommy, you shouldn't try to sing like one and Ted doesn't which makes for a different, but very refreshing vocal experience.

As far as lyrical content goes, I'd like to dub Commissioner Gordon the "Situation Ska" band. In their latest CD you won't get any irrelevant ramblings about rudeboys or unification, but you will get some great ballads about kidnapping, single mothers, junkies, parking inspectors and much more. I really do like an album of social commentary, it gives an album context.

This album, as all but about three albums I have do, took a while to grow on me. I judge a ska album on whether it can be danced to and "Get in the Car" can easily be danced to. It's catchy also and doesn't delve too much into other genres such as punk and swing to detract from what this is, a good ska album. Favourite songs would have to"Volvo drivers" and "Balinese Bodypart Bandits". The only dissappointment for me is "Sax Offender". All in all, a more than decent effort from this Melbourne ska band.

Commissioner Gordon's Offical Website: http://www.commissionergordon.com

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