Maroon-News Staff

The Mighty Mighty BossTones' fourth full-length album, Question the Answers (BigRig/PolyGram), solidifies the band's unusual form and takes it to a higher level. The band's mosh-inspired changes from hard/heavy rock riffs to ska rhythms are used more effectively without becoming too consistent or mannered.

One of the album's greatest strengths is perhaps what it avoids. The BossTones have avoided the trap of leaving behind either of their two main roots. While continuing to explore ska with more complex horn parts, they have also advanced the use of horns in the thrash segments. Dicky Barrett's voice has always been better-suited to screaming. But, on the stand-out track "Hell of a Hat," he manages effectively funkier vocal demands and the quick changes to his throaty, ripping yells.

The first track on the album, "Kinder Words" - also the first single (there is even a video) - shows the polish and clean changes of speed that are at their peak on Question the Answers. It is also one of the several songs that contains a social commentary.

Can this be possible from a band who recorded songs like "I'll Drink to That," and "A Little Bit Ugly" (about drunkenness)? Consistently, from "Guns and the Young" off More Noise and Other Disturbances and "Our Only Weapon" and "Tin Soldiers" from Don't Know How to Party, the BossTones have taken issue with violence. Question the Answers backs up "Kinder Words" with "A Sad Silence" and "Hell Of a Hat," which look at the question of guns and drugs on the streets, and even make suggestions for change.

These sentiments are not new to the BossTones' music, but are more accentuated on Question the Answers. The BossTones have also added a few new sounds to their repertoire. On "Dogs and Chaplains," they begin with a funkier bass and drum rhythm, separate from ska, and then rip into their classic song (appearing under other names on other albums). Also new is the piano on "Toxic Toast" and an improved use of backing vocals on "Stand Off" and "Bronzing the Garbage."

"Hell of a Hat" has almost all that Question the Answers brings to the table. A thrashy opening, smooth swinging horns, strong vocals by Barret on both the fast and the slow sections, and a message which does not take itself too seriously. "Toxic Toast," a song of fond memories of partying hard and staying alive living in a hotel, shows, in one way, that the BossTones have come some distance. They still "raise hell with reckless style," as the song says. However, Question the Answers shows that they are not just satisfied with quick changes - ska for rhythm and thrash to slam - but are also concerned with taking their music another step, and they have.

It is also important to note that this is a studio album from a band made to play live. But that is not all they are good for. For the salty fans who lament the BossTones' attempted progress or see their messages as trite, do not be too concerned. They still have all their old flavor and singular character, they have just given your ears a little more to chew on.