The Kind � Waiting on the Harvest
Label: NCM East Records
Rating: 
 

Miami, FL's The Kind returns with their sophomore album, "Waiting on the Harvest" which shows the band mixing various flavors of ska and rock which comes out mostly like an attempt to ascend to the heights of the B-52's or Sublime. The Kind's mix of Ska, Jazz, rock and Reggae is actually a breath of fresh air in these days where record bins are filled with "pop-punk", "emo", "rap-core" and "nu-metal". 

They are a bit more alternative than Sublime and not quite as Ska as the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Kind stay a bit closer to British Ska revival style than the punk-ska we have seen over the past few years, with the exception of "Cell Phone Punk", a tongue in cheek punkish rocker that pokes fun at the cell phone craze. The do a great job of mixing it up so that the album doesn't become redundant like some other ska releases.  Then you have the funky "Just What It Is" which features a really cool guitar lead. Then the band gets a bit jazzy with the album closer "Body Down". 

By far the best track on the disc is "Something Missing" which seems to mix a classic Van Morrison feel with a Weezer'esq quality and a little ska seasoning to give it flavor. 

Over all, The Kind delivers the goods. If you're even mildly into modern ska or Reggae inspired alternative rock than you should definitely check out The Kind.