Vodka is the first official release from Toronto-based, New Glasgow-born Skate Punk band Lime Ricky, and it’s going to make you want to down some shots and learn how to skateboard (though maybe not in that order).
From the very first line on “Hundreds of Hangovers”, you already know you’re in for a paradoxical experience. The album opens with the line, “I spent the better part of the last decade drunk and strung out on drugs, and all I got was this stupid t-shirt.” It’s a fun, cheeky line, but the implications are actually pretty depressing as the rest of the song goes on to express a yearning for more in life.
Lime Ricky makes this their staple; making light of life’s more depressing turns. The opening song isn’t the only one to go in-depth about wasting your potential. “Waistoid” is a call-out for someone who seems content to feel sorry for themselves, rather than trying to solve their own problems. The bridge insists, “it’s never too late to stop wasting your life away”, and the tough love is accompanied by some relatively light-hearted instrumentals.
Regardless of subject matter, the energy never wavers. A lot of the songs tread close to being one trumpet short of ska, with that classic walking bass line, frantic guitar, and some layered shouted chant vocals for good measure.
It’s very much the high energy found on an early Tony Hawk video game soundtrack—which is clearly intentional. “Fuck Eric Sparrow” pays tribute to Tony Hawk’s Underground by spitting venom at the game’s surprise antagonist, even including voice clips from the game. The vocals really sell this one, and fans of the original game will find it easy to scream alongside them (yeah, fuck Eric Sparrow! He was my best friend!)
Nostalgia like that plays a big role on the album. “www.nevergetoveryou” cranks up a classic by the Canadian animated duo Prozzäk, making it faster and harder but leaving in the iconic “uh-oh!” ICQ notification sound. Also included is a scream-fueled twelve-second cover of the beloved children’s song, “Skinnamarink”. That in itself should paint a clear picture of the fun to be had on this album.
It’s a delicate balance between singing about real-life dilemmas and not taking themselves too seriously, but it’s a balance that Lime Ricky strikes well. Whether it’s calling out fictional betrayals or casting a critical glance at the state of our world, the band never lets the album drag. That constant high makes for a perfect background for getting back your skating tape from that damn Eric Sparrow.