Steady As She Goes marks
Voodoo Glow Skulls' first release since exiting their longtime home at punk haven Epitaph Records and moving their group to the more hardcore independent label Victory. Despite the label change,
Voodoo Glow Skulls have retained the ska/punk style they are well known for, as the album offers a thick slab of upbeat, sometimes inane punk rock. The artwork and packaging are truly fabulous, as they depict a pirate theme; yet that theme rarely carries over into the group's music, excluding the rollicking "Yo-ho-ho" essence of "One for the Road." When
Voodoo Glow Skulls aren't attempting to be humorous, they manage to squeak in a few songs that speak largely about the world, such as the jab at Los Angeles' continuous oppression towards ethnic cultures on "Ethnic Cleansing Day." The production quality of Steady As She Goes is undeniably poor, as the sound is murky and rough. One would think the band made this whole disc in their garage, and this may honestly be the case since they are credited with the production in the album credits. Although this certainly is not the best album
Voodoo Glow Skulls have released, it does include a few positive notes, most notably the entertaining cover of Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs' "Little Red Riding Hood." Fans of the band will enjoy this disc, but for new fans, this is an album worth passing on. ~ Jason D. Taylor