So, I apparently can’t keep myself to UK bands – my first temptation to review some ska punk across the pond has resulted in covering Buck-O-Nine‘s 7th full-length studio album, ‘Cut Out The Noise’. It’s the band’s first offering in five years, following the very enjoyable ‘Fundaymental’.

The San Diego natives have blazed a trail through West Coast ska since the early ’90’s, characterised by fast, surf-like riffs, quick brass and the uncompromising, thought-provoking growls of frontman Jon Pebsworth.

It’s worth noting that Pebsworth had suffered a heart attack during the pandemic, which will have no doubt put life into perspective. It’s really great to find that he, along with the band, are back on good form.

The album delves into toxic online behaviours, the general state of the world, and a burning desire to get back to mental certainty. Let’s dive in!

1. Preface

‘Cut Out The Noise‘ begins with a reflective strut through times gone by, as Pebsworth pines for “where we started it all“. While “Hollywood’s alright“, there is a clear feeling of homesickness throughout.

There is a mental combination depicted between restlessness and nostalgia for the old days, ending with the decision to return home. The brass and sax – notably without long-time trumpeter Tony Curry for the first time (though he is mentioned with thanks in the sleeve notes) – nonetheless soldiers onward.

One of the shorter songs on the album, ‘Preface’ sets the scene well as an introduction, which is coincidental (or intentional, perhaps), as that what a preface is. Who says music blogs can’t be educational?

2. I’m Alive

Next up is the single ‘I’m Alive’, which gets the album bouncing after much contemplation. The song vows to stay true to the “stylee” of the band’s 2 Tone/rocksteady/punk rock combo sound, only while also coming along with “the demon, the girl, the noise, and the monkey“.

There is the continuing theme of gaining a new lease of life from returning home, with the pressure of LA having ground our protagonist down (industry pressure, and being within a 20 mile radius of cultists, inauthentic people and James Corden will do that to a person).

The chorus simply, but triumphantly belts out the song’s title. That works in punk rock baby, and this is a punk blog… baby (ffs stop saying baby 😑).

3. Done With You

The third track ‘Done With You’ addresses and dismisses the metaphorical devil, that has plagued life in LA.

Keeping up the fast pace, this one depicts a battle with identity, with said devil representing a superficial, corrupted lifestyle that can mentally burn people out. In constant conversation with this creature (again, not literally), there is an urge being battled with, to put off improving the situation, with the notion that “it’s not forever, I just need a little sympathy“.

The chorus sees the protagonist snap out of this malaise, confronting his demons and deciding “I’m done with you for good“.

4. Hallows

‘Hallows’ delves into personal loss, with the song being dedicated to a friend, Richard.

Melodically slowing things down, without compromising on off beat intensity, the song states upon reaching out to Richard, he kept “shutting me out“. There are some lovely backing vocals in the second verse, which help pay homage to times spent together.

The heavier chorus exclaims that “it’s nothing but a frame of mind“, with the quest to find one’s self once and for all being “the fight of our lives“.

5. Denial

This one slows things riiiiiiight down, lending a purer ska sound to exploration around needing to face the troubles of life in a world that “has gone mad“, instead of running away. A strutting horn line indeed underpins a reappearing defiance.

‘Denial’ brings the album’s first concrete touch onto the state of the wider world, with Pebworth “waking up for the first time” since he was initially orientating himself independently at age 19.

There is a clear notion of a homecoming of sorts, with reminiscing present along with an urge to get the band with a dollar and nine cents in their name (though more than that to their name, I trust) back to their roots.

6. In Their Eyes

Speeding things up again while keeping that ska sound free of that pesky heavy punk, ‘In Their Eyes’ looks outward again, focusing on the misfortune of young families torn by war.

Lamenting the loss of children gone before their time, as a result of “senseless acts of violence in the world“, the song depicts a grieving mother who sees “a world that doesn’t turn“.

Amidst (I once had a boss who took exception to me using the word ‘amidst’, so I’m grateful for the power to now use it freely, that this blog grants me 🙌) an ever-fractious geopolitical climate, there is a message of support to those affected. Alongside this is a vow to continue fighting for change.

7. Cut Out The Noise

The eponymous seventh song on the album starts with some slow guitar plucking, before rocking into a chant to “Cut it out” – ‘it’ being overexposure to divisive news and misinformation.

Two different voices contradict whether or not the listener, and indeed people at large are OK, as uncertainty reigns when it comes to a barrage of information in a fast-paced world. Also explored is how much this world has changed since algorithmic news delivery became inescapable and commonplace.

Amidst (yeah, take that again, former work superior) such an incendiary landscape, Pebsworth declares that he’s “fucking sick of the damn divide“.

8. Algo The Great

‘Algo The Great’ (the track to kick off the second side for disk – I should probably get back in on that CD/vinyl hype) continues the theme of overwhelming information and misinformation across social media.

Picking up the BPM again, this ditty calls out those who “type, type, and troll“, having gone down a dark hole of online conspiracies and propaganda, without looking beyond headlines.

The song is delivered from the perspective of social media companies, stating that “the fire in your eyes is my and our creation“. This is my favourite song from this album, as it encapsulates how I feel about the widespread impact that clickbait and ragebait (not rarebit, silly spellcheck) can have on people’s behaviours.

9. Razorface

Next is the first taste we got of the album in the lead-up to its release, in the single ‘Razorface’. The song condemns wars waged by the rich and powerful, as well as “lifetimes of beating down our own“.

Discussed alongside this is the “imminent danger” that has long been caused to ourselves as an entire human race, but a hope that peace can be realised globally, one day.

Pebsworth’s rousing delivery of “Mistakes of the world” in the chorus is very reminiscent of Status Quo’s ‘Rockin All Over The World‘ to me, and I can see the song as a whole closing a set, should the band choose to deviate from more established tunes.

10. Raging Crescent

‘Raging Crescent’ is the shortest track on the album at just over two minutes. This one presents a vent at a sometimes futile-feeling existence while “there’s fires all around me“.

The choruses discuss that there’s “no will to survive” while causes for alarm continue to materialise. However, there is also the realisation that “there’s love all around me“, despite the state of the world.

Further juxtapositions abound that emphasise uncertainty, including “I never wanna stay, I never wanna go”, and “Come please, come and kill me / Come please, save my life“.

11. Elevate Your Soul

‘Elevate Your Soul’ encourages the listener to “elevate your soul and ease your mind“, lending a reprieve from talk about conflicts and divisions closer to home (not that this isn’t also welcome, of course!).

Declaring that “we’ve got your back“, there is an offering of camaraderie, for while fires metaphorical and literal alike continue to impact lives, “you bet your life you’re not alone“.

I have to be honest, the first five seconds had me expecting vocals belting out “Give it to me, baby“, a la ‘Pretty Fly for a White Guy‘ by The Offspring. Alas, a lovely, slower-paced ska song unfolds, which is much more fitting.

12. Rise Up

Keeping things musically light but speeding things up a touch again, ‘Rise Up’ vows to keep spirits up, ahead of a rhythm-fronted revolt against authoritarian division and warmongering.

The song shuns the idea of existing as a prematurely thwarted “candle in the wind“. Stating that “it’s now or never“, the song urges listeners to throw ego aside, and establish a “name, day, place and time“.

A tasty guitar solo features later on, elevating the song’s danceability further alongside the ever-consistent brass section. Why do I, and others, use the adjective ‘tasty’ to describe non-edible things? No clue. It just felt right. 🤷‍♂️

13. We Don’t Know

Speeding things up even more and amping up the punk is the penultimate track ‘We Don’t Know’, which calls for removal of one’s derrière (that means buttocks, derived from Old French) from the fence.

Calling out world leaders that have “left us for dead“, there is an emphasis on awaiting those undecided to join the fight against austerity and authoritarianism. Although there remains much that “I, you, we don’t know“, there is acknowledgment of those suffering, as well as the constant capability of compassion.

I’m a big fan of the chanted chorus interspersed between Pebsworth’s signature melodic growls and prose.

14. It’s A New Day

Finally, there is ‘It’s A New Day’, another bid to hold out for better times. Also featuring guitar and sax solos, backing vocals really play a massive part in bringing the whole album home.

Urging listeners to “act now“, the song continues the notion that with collaboration, “we’ll take that world down“, while “looking forward to more good/bad times“.

While acknowledging the strong possibility of life getting worse as one gets older (dare I continue using ‘one’ in this way, like a Victorian era member of the House of Lords?) , there is everlasting hope that by fighting for a better world, people can face future barriers head on, while thriving.

Closing Remarks

The Buck-O-Nine album ‘Cut Out The Noise’ is unlikely to bring surprises for fans, but maintains the heart that Pebsworth and co always bring.

All in all, it’s a great return to form. I wish the band, if they’re reading this, much prosperity going forward, with music and in life. Up the Posh, and up the Punx 🤘