Like its two predecessors, Ska: The Third Wave, Vol. 3 concentrates on a handful of unknown ska-punk and ska-metal bands, mixing a few straightforward ska revival bands for good measure. For fans of ska and 2-Tone, most of these groups have little to do with the original records they loved, since the rhythms aren't nearly as nimble and the grooves aren't as infectious, but that is actually representative of the changes within ska revival over the '90s. In other words, fans of heavy bands like the
Mighty Mighty Bosstones and
Rancid will find merit in the
Cherry Poppin' Daddies, the Pie Tasters and the
Aquabats, but the music will dismay listeners familiar with the sound of the
Specials and
Madness. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine