This is no ordinary Ska band. Stop Drop has weathered several member changes and fought the tide of shifting subcultures within Toronto's indie music scene to emerge as band of prowess. Their newest EP is an exceptionally refined audio journey entitled A Wake // At Sea.

Originally dubbed Stop Drop 'N Skank, the band chose to sever the tail of that scandalous epithet to make a new name. However, this is only a surface development that serves to mark the underlying maturation of their song-writing style. The rest becomes clear when the headphones are in your ears. After the first song, you will notice that Stop Drop has recast their style in a more perfect mold than before. After the last, you will be assured of their success. The album was recorded at Slaughterhouse Studio under the experienced direction of producer Mitch Girio. It was also the first new release on Girio's indie label Winterbeard Records. The infectious energy, which attracted so many of their earlier fans, is channeled to create songs that are more intricate and enjoyable than ever before. The new songs are true to their ska and punk roots, but they kicked up the bar a fist full of notches.

Now the bar has a retinue of horns to accompany the deadly combination of two lead guitarists. In total, Stop Drop boasts seven members, and they mesh together flawlessly. The lyrics tell a compelling tale, and hook you with their inventive rhymes. The catchy melodies, backed by the horns, and framed with a jiving rhythm, put the band in a league of their own. The songs are fast-paced, and carry you through to the end without relying on standard verse/chorus patterns or plain repetition. Though the EP spans roughly 27 minutes, it is made up of eight solid tracks, and at the end of this powerful journey the only thing to do is to start at the beginning and love it all over again.

By Matt Herron
http://www.myspace.com/sdsrock