10

Ninja, ninja, ninja, ninninninja!

With the weather finally brightening up, what we all really want is to get out and enjoy the summer with long evenings in the sun, complete with a barbeque, friends and a nice chilled out and fun album to bring spirit to the party or gathering. In such situations something light like ska-punk is the obvious choice - but how about something homebrewed, stealthy like a ninja and pirate loving from the North? Make It Better Later are an all new band hailing from York who are in keeping with all the usual traditions of ska, writing simple but highly singable songs about general mindless nonsense, the kind of music you just love to sit around, get drunk to and dance around like a maniac and well, when you have an album packed full of fun songs about drunken antics, pirates and ninjas how can you resist?

'Eric' is a chirpy little song lovingly introduced by Eric Cartman from Southpark and about him too. It has such simple charm but its cute lyrics and trademark upbeat reggae influence keeps spirits alive and jumping. Let's face it, who could resist singing along when the chorus has such a catchy backbeat complimented by the lyrics: "Eric I need you, Eric I love you, Eric you're the one"? Perfect as a starter to a drunken evening in the sun.

This is followed by the tongue in cheek 'No Credit', a song about a man's indecisive pining for that 'perfect girl' spotted after about ten beers in a bar; we've all been there. It follows in true ska tradition of disguising sarcasm in such upbeat and happy rhythmic music that even the most sombre of subjects have a positive mental attitude. The gentle punk upstrokes over lay a highly catchy sing along chorus all the way through the track to an honest but funny conclusion: "Cause we live in a sexist world but if you play your cards right you might just get laid".

How many bands do you know that not only write songs about ninjas but write awesome songs about ninjas? The song starts out with a creeping bass riff that slowly builds tension before exploding into a crazy concoction of sound and incoherent enthusiastic babbling, slowing down into a stealthy and prolonged break "stab you". It is an adorable ode to ninjas everywhere and is bound to get even the most firmly grounded pirate supporter to admit that ninjas are pretty cool, through after a few rums and the final track 'The Pirate Song' debates may ensue.

The beauty of this recording is that all the tracks are short, sweet and to the point, and though at times some may sound very similar it does not become boring but helps keep heads nodding and people bouncing and in the mood all night. It is quite simply a perfect summer party album and should be appreciated solely for that if nothing else.