Victims of Circumstance – Five

Florida ska punk band Victims of Circumstance has quietly been making ground since their creation back in 2008.  The band’s blend of brass and coarse vocals make for an intuitive combination that breaks through the typical upstroke cliches and brims with personality.  For those that have been heralding the ska-punk scene for the past few decades, Victims of Circumstance will feel fresh yet familiar.  The band blends a diverse set of influences that range from the big brassy choruses of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, to the bluesy rhythms of  Buck-O-Nine and energetic punk infusions of Goldfinger.  

The album opens with “Sober,” a song that somehow channels the spirit of all of the above influences without leaning too heavily on any one.  Lead vocalist Mike commands a gravelly tone that feels weathered and well matched for the constant call of the band’s always dynamic brass and soul penetrating bass.  The song channels the spirit of a crew of seasoned veterans embracing regrets in the only way they know. “I feel so old, I feel so numb, I don’t like the man that I’ve become,” sings the band as they come to terms with the road they’ve travelled.  They’re not apologetic or angry, and as soon becomes clear, many of these songs serve as a snapshot of mindsets at mid-life crossroads.  

The band made known that in writing Five they didn’t set out to write a purely ska album, but rather just let each song follow its own path.  The band focuses heavily on a punk-rock core, with songs like “Involuntary,” “Tonight We’re Getting Loud” and “Enemy” placing crunchy riffs and pop-punk melodies at centre stage.  These tracks are akin to mid-career Goldfinger in that they don’t eliminate the horn sections, but shift the spotlight a little left of centre.  But that isn’t to say the band sheds their pork-pie hats and snazzy suit vests. In fact, tracks like “Quit Looking For the Win (Vinnie Owes Us A Solid)” still feel particularly bluesy with an unmistakable core of dancehall swank and toe tapping, cool, saxophone blasts throughout.  Others like “Obey The Rules,” “Aggravation” and “The X” bring it back to basics with buoyant upstroke-driven ska in a third wave fashion, making for intuitive comparisons to The Planet Smashers and Reel Big Fish.  When placed amongst the album’s less conventional offerings these tracks shine brightly.

Unless you have some sort of full body allergic reaction to ska, then there’s really no reason not to check out the latest effort from Victims of Circumstance.  At its core, Five is a somber look at life, uplifted by a catchy brass section and tongue in cheek delivery that feels every bit as fresh as it does familiar.  Victims of Circumstance knows their craft, and Five serves as both a solid entry point for newcomers and natural extension for returning fans.