Small Town Get Up

For over 4 years, since the release of their debut album Mayhem Circus, Small Town Get Up has been carefully but energetically brewing their style of ska-fusion. Incorporating punk, post-hardcore, and jazz elements into their ska roots, the 7-piece band has created a truly infectious sound. Incredibly upbeat and full of life, their third album, New Noise, touches all the right places; even if you’re not a big fan of any one of those genres. This natural state of allure probably comes from its inherent positive, enjoy all life, attitude.

It doesn’t take long to become absorbed into the infectious rhythm dynamic of the band. Opening track “Homecoming” immediately sets the atmosphere of the album as a catchy guitar lick is soon supported by the other 6 instruments in the band. Containing three trombone players, along with a trumpet and alto-sax, the majority of the 7-piece band is brass instruments with the addition of a guitar, bass, and drums. While the guitar and the drums create the foundation of the band’s sound it’s the various brass instruments that really project the personality of the ensemble, complimenting the catchy choruses found throughout the album. While their sound is a little more ‘pop’ than most ska-rock blends, it’s genuine rather than forced. This genuine or honest feeling is the major element that makes this album so appealing. The following track, “Found a Reason” is perfect an example of this honest and positive atmosphere that encompasses the record, containing a chorus that will remain permanently stuck in your head. By the third song, New Noise starts gaining some serious footing in your subconscious, resulting in several, if not constant, replays of certain tracks.

Many of the songs like “Take the Night” and “Day I Die” have a natural anthem-like quality to them with simple, empowering choruses. At the very least they’re great drinking tunes, which ultimately makes me wonder what this band must be like live. There is a very impassioned charisma to Small Town Get Up that’s reflected in New Noise; one can only speculate what that charisma manifests into live with the asset of various alcoholic drinks and a good crowd. Yet, despite all the great party anthems found on the album, “Say Lenor” is a surprising beautiful rock song, and in this writer’s opinion, the best song on the record. While not as uplifting as the other tracks, it’s a song that seems to have an incredible, emotional depth to it lyrically; whether or not those lyrics are metaphorical or just coincidental, I can’t tell.

On a daily basis the radio plays a rotation of pop music that is just short of crap, or oldies that go no further than 1989. Small Town Get Up has created an album that addresses the upbeat atmosphere the average person yearns for from music, but maintains the craft and creative dignity that only talented musicians can create. I only hope this album finds itself in heavy rotation somewhere. In many ways, New Noise is a quintessential summer album symbolizing the embracement of all the fun things in our life. - Lithium Magazine