3dBs Down – Get Your Retaliation In First LP (Engineer Records)

I was not familiar with this band until David of Engineer Records advised me to take a couple of listens of their latest recordings. He sent me the material, but due to the nature of my work, I settled this material aside until I complete previous submissions for the blog. At some points, their logo reminded me of some ska/ska-punk logos I encountered before, and the entire visual identity carries that vibe. Luckily enough, I was not entirely wrong in my judgment because 3dBs Down are nurturing an interesting blend of ska and melodic punk rock song sound. After googling around, I realized the group is coming from Kent, UK, and so far, these guys released a couple of albums, such as Bottom Of The Learning Curve and Can Of Worms. Therefore, Get Your Retaliation In First represents their third album and most advanced material, heavily promoted over social media with singles such as Everyone Here Is Better Than You and Count To A Million.

Get Your Retaliation In First carries thirteen catchy ska-punk compositions that are revealing even more ingredients as this comprehensive collection proceeds. Besides the dominant presence of ska and melodic punk rock music, you may notice some characteristics of pop-punk, reggae, indie rock, and alternative rock. 3dBs Down harmoniously combines all these ingredients, so besides sounding so good, this material also offers loads of entertaining moments from scratch to finish. Perhaps the group nurtures ska-punk sound, but they’re avoiding nearly all traditional ska-punk movements. Therefore, if you thought that 3dBs Down is just another Less Than Jake, Reel Big Fish, Mad Caddies, Jaya The Cat clone, you’re entirely wrong. This group unquestionably has some similarities with the abovementioned bands, but these guys are articulating in such a specific manner.

Their music offers so much more than simplified ska-punk sound, mainly because of other ingredients. Those ingredients are spicing things up and uplifting the plain old ska-punk acrobatics on an entirely new level. There’s something about their ideas, song structures, arrangements that keeps this material fresh and unique. 3dBs Down operates as a singular mechanism during the entire album and keeps these tunes listenable even after countless spinnings. From clean ska chops, distorted segments, engaging basslines to outstanding drumming and pop punkish chants, this group showcases how contemporary ska-punk should sound. The group also pays a lot of attention to the dynamics, so Get Your Retaliation In First appears as an energetic banger from start to finish. Get Your Retaliation In First comes on vinyl and compact disc. Head over to Engineer Records for more detailed information about ordering.