Search - Big D and the Kid's Table :: Good Luck

The very best

pantalonesbryant | Boston, MA | 11/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is must have. Im from the Boston area and have been going to Big D shows for over a year. Not a single song of theirs is bad, or even average. The CD starts out with the fast paced Myself. Then they kick it up even faster for 5 Kids Down. Then the high intensity skanking starts up with the catchy GLD, a song about a skanky girl. The fourth song is when Big D really reveals the theme of the album (yes it is sophisticated enough to have an overall theme). Are You Just Scared? is about that friend that we've all had that turned into a follower, too scared to show the real him/her. Fatman is about a fat guy who never lets others taunts get him down and that the band admires cause, "He's happy with life! Isnt that the point?" Be prepared to chant along with bitter/angry yet catchy/upbeat She Won't Ever Figure It Out. This tells of a clueless girl who stays with a boyfriend who treats her bad, comes crying to you for comfort, and then ignores your romantic advances as she goes back to the jerk. Take Another Look increases the punk flow again with angry vocals, harsh guitars and flat horns. It again takes on individual vs group by declaring himself worth another look. Find Out goes back to skacore with the slowest tempo so far. Its a questioning song about trying to find meaning and diretion. The chorus sums up the album fairly well; "Slave in Heaven, or a Star in Hell. You're a star in Hell." Can't Be Caught picks it up again with rhythmic, fast lyrics and really strong rhythm. Its about not being caught in a standard pointless life. I'd Rather has a similar theme but slightly faster pace and wilder lyrical structure. Apology is the perhaps most serious and the message directly to its audience, with angry instrumentals with lightning quick lyrics about the hypocracy of ska/punks conformity within the system (often at shows the band stops and only vocals go so everyone can clearly hear). The song immediately goes into the most light hearted song, Dirt Lip about kids whose parents let them do whatever (and this have dirt lips). Learning to Listen is a rapid song again about individuality in a conformist society. 51 Gardner is a fast paced song that sneaks into your subconscience about the menial parts of life and being content without having to strive for everything. {GoodLuck} is the title and secret track and is drastically different than the rest of the album(its their only song i've never seen performed). Its is much softer and slower than the rest of the CD, yet it sums it up perfectly, and cant be appreciated without listening. This band is brilliant, both in instrumentals (all or nearly all attend Berkley School of Music in Boston) and especially in songwriting. I listen to it nearly everyday and I've had it several months."

A smooth start

Robert Piquette | Edmonton, Canada | 02/05/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Big D's Asian Man debut is a landmark in punk/ska history. This is a band that not only embodies the DIY Ska lifestyle but also the spirit of the music. Good times is the staple message of Ska and Big D know that better than any other new Ska band. All the songs are bubbly, upbeat and relentlessly energetic. The band took the genre to new heights with this album by making a sound that is stylistically no different than most other bands of the genre but still manages to sound completely new and fresh. If it wasn't for the unabided enthusiasm of Dave McWayne and the rest of the band, the music would have faltered and been unfairly lumped with other bandwagon Ska bands. You can tell how much the Kid's Table love what they do simply by their lifestyle: one of homelessness and nonstop touring.



The album starts of strong with Myself which is a high-tempo skank punker that contains brilliantly catchy lyrics and wonderfully fluent horn lines. This theme would continue to other tracks such as Dirt Lip, GLD and Can't be Caught. The band also harnesses the awesome power of the super-heavy bridge in the songs Fatman and album highlight 51 Gardener.



But the album is not perfect. In fact it is far from it. Later albums would prove to be much more focussed and improved. The band at the recording of this album had 5 horn players, which is a fairly ridiculous amount for a band that has so much punk influence. The abundance of horn players make the horns too big and somewhat tedious at times (while at other times it's phenomenal). The CD also drags on with very little true variety in the music. When there is variety, it's done haphazardly and comes off as pointless filler (especially the straight punk songs Apology and Learning to Listen). This flaw would be remedied severely in the follow-ups.



This CD is a great introduction to a band that really hasn't gained a lot of precidence yet. The good-time atmosphere radiates on every track and makes a very enjoyable listen. Not for those fans who hate it when distortion enters the Ska picture or for fans of underground music period. If you love Ska and want a skankin good time, however, this CD is truly for you!



4 and a Half Stars (just short of perfect)



P.S. Trad Ska fans tend to love this band, too!"

You gotta check this band out!

dan nott | Hubbardston, MA United States | 11/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an awsome band. Obviously if you have stumbled upon this CD you know ska, because not manny people know them. The lyrics are fast and addicting, and the music is great! These guys definitly got the tallent, and I advise you NOT to pay attencion to the loser who gave them only 1 star.I recomend this to anyone! for other ska, you can check out the mighty mighty bosstones, catch 22, or the aquabats."