The newest Catch 22 record, Permanent Revolution, is a concept album about Leon Trotsky, “father of the Marxist theory and leader of the Bolshevik revolution in Russia.” The songs follow his life chronologically from birth to death. I think this is a really cool idea, and despite the hit or miss aspects that come with most concept albums, I think this one does a good job of sticking to the main point, but not driving it into the ground. I have been a fan of Catch 22 for a long while now and have noticed their evolution from poppy, pogo, ska punk band to the more current trend in ska, which is being much heavier and influenced by the reggae, dub thing. So this sounds less Five Iron Frenzy and more Rx Bandits. I guess, as my own personal preference, I would still take Keasbey Nights over this album, but that’s just me. Not that I’m saying this is a bad album, because its actually quite good, but I just prefer the older, more pop-driven stuff. I like my ska like I like my women: old and fast.

(Victory Records, 346 N. Justine St. Suite 504, Chicago, IL 60607)