Fat Wreck Chords – Release Date: 10/09/20

Earlier this month, Get Dead released their first album in four years, titled Dancing with the Curse. In that time, they’ve managed to significantly reimagine their sound and create what is easily their strongest record yet. The opening track, “Disruption,” has an ominous intro with vocals that feature a spoken word/hip hop influence. Before long it segues seamlessly to ska upstrokes and an off beat rhythm. The gravelly vocals shift to a more rapid-fire delivery and then a head-bopping chorus takes over that’s boosted by more ska guitar. There’s certainly a lot going on, but it’s all blended together in a fluid manner. The end result is a fairly dark and raw interpretation of ska, not unlike Operation Ivy.

“Fire Sale” is a fast-paced, punk-leaning song with somewhat of a Swingin’ Utters vibe. It also contains a massive chorus that comes crashing through around the one-minute mark. “Confrontation” is an urgent song that takes shots at the left and the right, and talks about how divided our country is. It builds to a frantic pace before describing an active shooter scene, which is both powerful and sadly still topical. Another noteworthy entry is “Hard Times,” as it incorporates organ with a strong vocal hook. It also offers some of the album’s best guitar leads.

With the final song, “Take It,” Get Dead may have saved the best for last. It begins with a rousing intro and quickly transitions to double-time ska in the verse. A catchy bridge paves the way to a sprawling, sing-a-long chorus that hits like a tidal wave. It conveys a defiant message that urges listeners to reject what passes for normal in today’s society. In short, this is the kind of song that’s best enjoyed at full volume and simply a great way to end the record.

Dancing with the Curse sets a new benchmark for Get Dead and ushers in a new era for the band. Everything from the writing to the performances, and the production, represents a substantial step forward from their previous material. This is without a doubt one of the best punk albums of the year and one that will likely be influential for years to come.