Growing up I was a huge fan of Ska music from the first wave to the 2tone stuff to the third wave and beyond. As Ska music became more popular bands like Sublime, 311, and The Urge began to take it to a whole other level for me and soon enough I had thrown the doors wide open and plunged into pool of diversity, in a sense, growing out of the old school Ska music I used to listen to and exploring the many facets that the sound combined into its own genre. How surprised was I when I threw on VOC’s Acupunkture. Given the title I assumed it was a straight punk outfit. Even the trombone on the back of the CD art didn’t strike any chords with me. Have I been away form this music for too long?

So first off VOC is a straight DIY outfit. They run on their own label (Financial Records), play out of a retrofitted studio at their offices, and they make all their own connections. I’d like to think that, given the awesome production sound on this album, there just one of many bands that represent the DYI league that prove it can be done. FYI, before VOC formed the two guys that put it together (Michael Smyth and Glenn Stewart) worked debt settlement. Maybe its no coincidence their record label is named Financial Records. Anyway, away with the humor, let’s begin the review.

Right off the bat this album brought me home. A punky kick off with drums followed in by trademark horns that were reminiscent of Mustard Plug, The Mighty Bosstones, or The O.C. Supertones. At times on the album it is your usual playful horn section and at others something a bit more serious. I loved the change ups. On vocals you have Mike Smyth who has a gruff voice sort of like Dickey Barrett of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, only not as hardcore sounding. It sounds natural and without mimic which makes it awesome. Smyth and band deviate really hit the lyrics hard with songs about just taking a road trip, telling people off, and reminiscing about old times. It is a well diverse amount of topics that you can choose to listen to or just go with the flow and have fun dancing to.

The energy of the album is great. At times it can be your standard skacore fair with just some light skanking and at other times the energy is fast paced but excellently executed. I had a lot of fun with this album and think that it brings a good paring of old school ska with the new school stuff together to give fans the best of both worlds. Well worth checking out. As always final judgment is yours. Enjoy.