Coming out of Aberdeen, Maryland, reggae-pop band
Ballyhoo! are the kind of easy, breezy, sandal-wearing folks who would fit perfectly on a Margaritaville playlist, especially if they were dropped between like-minded bands like
Iration and
Slightly Stoopid. Big difference with these beach bums is that they can break into a double-time ska break with ease, like on the opening "She Wants to Destroy Me," a heartbroken highlight that both
Jimmy Buffett and
No Doubt fans can agree on. "Things We Don't Mean" is the cool meeting of
the Specials (ska-flavored spy music...) and
Dave Matthews (...sitting under lead singer's
Howi Spangler's loose croon) while "Beautiful Day" is an uplifting morning tune that smiles the whole way. The jaded and the sour shouldn't come anywhere near it, but those who seek positive vibrations will think being hit by
Ballyhoo!'s
Pineapple Grenade!! is quite delicious. ~ David Jeffries